Effect of Filler Type on some Physical and Mechanical Proparties of Carbon Fibers / Polyester Composites

In the present study, traditional and hybrid composites were prepared by Hand lay-up molding and investigated. The composites constituents were unsaturated polyester resin as the matrix, 3% and 6% volume fractions of carbon fibers as reinforcement and 3% of Al2O3, Al, Cement and local Gypsum (calcium sulfate anhydrate CaSO4) as filler particles. The investigated physical properties were density, porosity while the mechanical properties were tensile properties, bending modulus of elasticity. The experimental results showed that increased volume fraction of carbon fibers to (6%) led to increase in physical properties (density, porosity. As for the mechanical properties, carbon fiber composites and (3% carbon fibers/Al2O3)-contained hybrid composites gave the higher tensile and fracture strength, carbon fiber then gypsum composites gave the higher bending modulus.