Research Article

Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Volume: 17 Number: 2 July 27, 2026
TR EN

Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different micro-sized filler types and contents on the flexural behavior of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (GFRCs) were systematically investigated. Aluminum (Al), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and mica microparticles were dispersed in epoxy at 1.5 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 4.5 wt.% using hand lay-up technique. Flexural properties of the fabricated GFRCs were evaluated through three-point bending tests in accordance with ASTM D7264 standards. The findings demonstrate that both filler type and content have a remarkable influence on flexural strength of GFRCs. 1.5 wt.% Al-filled GFRCs exhibited the highest flexural strength, with an improvement of approximately 31.7% compared to the unfilled GFRCs. Low contents of microparticles generally enhanced flexural performance, higher contents of microparticles resulted in a reduction in flexural strength due to particle agglomeration, insufficient wetting, and void formation within the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were conducted to examine fractured surface and failure mechanisms. SEM observations indicated that Al-filled GFRCs exhibited stronger fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and reduced fiber pull-out, whereas SiO₂- and mica-filled GFRCs illustrated increased void formation, interfacial debonding, and fiber bundle pull-out. Overall, it was demonstrated that appropriate selection of filler type and optimization of filler content were critical to improve flexural performance of GFRCs.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Material Design and Behaviors

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 27, 2026

Submission Date

February 16, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 2

APA
Ergün, R. K., & Demir, M. E. (2026). Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.1890749
AMA
1.Ergün RK, Demir ME. Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. DUJE. 2026;17(2). doi:10.24012/dumf.1890749
Chicago
Ergün, Raşit Koray, and Mehmet Emin Demir. 2026. “Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17 (2). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.1890749.
EndNote
Ergün RK, Demir ME (July 1, 2026) Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17 2
IEEE
[1]R. K. Ergün and M. E. Demir, “Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”, DUJE, vol. 17, no. 2, July 2026, doi: 10.24012/dumf.1890749.
ISNAD
Ergün, Raşit Koray - Demir, Mehmet Emin. “Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi 17/2 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.24012/dumf.1890749.
JAMA
1.Ergün RK, Demir ME. Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. DUJE. 2026;17. doi:10.24012/dumf.1890749.
MLA
Ergün, Raşit Koray, and Mehmet Emin Demir. “Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites”. Dicle Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi Mühendislik Dergisi, vol. 17, no. 2, July 2026, doi:10.24012/dumf.1890749.
Vancouver
1.Raşit Koray Ergün, Mehmet Emin Demir. Influence of Filler Content and Type on Flexural Strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. DUJE. 2026 Jul. 1;17(2). doi:10.24012/dumf.1890749