Effect of sewage sludge ash filler on mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of S-glass/epoxy composites

In this study, the influence of sewage sludge ash (SSA) waste particle contents on the mechanical properties and interlaminar fracture toughness for mode I and mode II delamination of S-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Composite laminate specimens for tensile, flexural double-cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) tests were prepared and tested according to ASTM standards with 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% SSA filled S-glass/epoxy composites. Properties improvement reasons was explained based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. The highest improvement in tensile and flexural strength was obtained with 10 wt% content of SSA. The highest mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness’s were obtained with 15 wt% content of SSA. The mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness’s improved by 33 and 63.6%, respectively, compared to the composite without SSA.