Properties of silica reinforced unsaturated polyester composite: The effect of filler content

The effect of filler content on the composite properties of unsaturated polyester reinforced with silica filler has been carried out. The content of the silica filler used varied from 10 to 40%. Preparation of composites was carried out by the pressing method using compression molding at a pressure of 125 psi. From the results, it was found that the content of the silica filler was very influential on the properties and characteristics of the composite. Results have shown, the flexural strength decreased with increasing content of filler, while impact strength increased with optimum value in filler content 30% weight which was 11247 J/m(2). For the water absorption of composite, the increasing content of the filler led to the greater the percentage of composite water absorption. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of silica-filled unsaturated polyester composites was better than that of unsaturated polyester. The results showed that at a heating temperature of 470 degrees C unsaturated polyester was degraded by 90% while the composite filled with silica was degraded by 60%.