Effect of perlite particle contents on delamination toughness of S-glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites

The effects of perlite particulate-filler on the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture and mechanical behavior of glass fabric/epoxy composites were studied. Composite specimens for double-cantilever beam (DCB), end-notched flexure (ENF) tensile and flexural tests were prepared and tested according to ASTM standards with perlite contents of 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt%. The optical and scanning electron microscopes images were described the mechanisms of mode I and II interlaminar fracture. The results indicated that the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness were optimum at perlite content of 3 wt% with increment of 39.9% and 72.3%, respectively. The tensile strength and flexural properties reached maximum values at perlite content of 1 and 5 wt%, respectively.