Static and dynamic mechanical properties of Arundo Donax fillers-epoxy composites

• Epoxy composites with Arundo Donax Fillers (ADFs) are produced and tested.
• The effect of filler size and content on the mechanical properties is evaluated.
• Static and dynamic mechanical characterization are carried out.
• The assessment of void content and SEM analysis are performed.
• ADFs may be considered as possible reinforcements of epoxy composites.

Aim of this work is to investigate the feasibility of using a natural and inexpensive filler obtained by grinding the culms of Arundo Donax as reinforcement of epoxy resins. The effect of the content and size of Arundo Donax fillers on static and dynamic mechanical properties was evaluated showing that the composites exhibit higher tensile moduli, comparable flexural moduli and lower strength properties in comparison to the neat resin. Moreover, changes in the storage and the loss moduli only above the glass transition temperature (i.e. in the rubbery region) were found while neither significant shifts of tan δ peaks to higher temperatures nor reductions in the peak height of the composites were also observed. To better understand the influence of Arundo Donax filler on the morphology of the composites, the analysis of the fractured surfaces using a scanning electron microscope and the assessment of void content were carried out. The results of this study shown that a new natural filler may be considered as possible reinforcement of epoxy composites useful in semi-structural applications.