Research Article

MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS

Volume: 26 Number: 3 September 25, 2025
EN

MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

In this study, the mechanical behavior of epoxy resin composites reinforced with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% beet pulp (BP) was systematically investigated. The specimens were prepared by casting into silicone molds and subjected to tensile and hardness tests. The results showed that increasing BP content led to a decrease in tensile strength from 36.5 ± 1.6 MPa (neat epoxy) to 23.1 ± 0.5 MPa, and a reduction in Vickers hardness from 9.8 HV to 8.8 HV. SEM analyses revealed that higher BP content caused weak interfacial bonding and pull-out voids, explaining the deterioration in mechanical performance. Although beet pulp has been studied in PLA, LDPE, PP, and starch-based matrices, its direct incorporation into epoxy resin without chemical treatment has not been reported. This study addresses this gap by systematically preparing and characterizing BP-reinforced epoxy composites and evaluating their tensile, hardness, and fracture surface behavior. The findings suggest that such composites may be considered for low-load applications, particularly in furniture panels, decorative coatings, and automotive interior trim components.

Keywords

Epoxy resin, Sugar beet pulp, Bio-based fillers, Sustainable composites

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APA
Karaca, M. M., & Buğday, M. (2025). MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS. Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering, 26(3), 379-386. https://doi.org/10.18038/estubtda.1751355
AMA
1.Karaca MM, Buğday M. MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS. Estuscience - Se. 2025;26(3):379-386. doi:10.18038/estubtda.1751355
Chicago
Karaca, Muhammet Mevlüt, and Mustafa Buğday. 2025. “MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS”. Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering 26 (3): 379-86. https://doi.org/10.18038/estubtda.1751355.
EndNote
Karaca MM, Buğday M (September 1, 2025) MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS. Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering 26 3 379–386.
IEEE
[1]M. M. Karaca and M. Buğday, “MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS”, Estuscience - Se, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 379–386, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.18038/estubtda.1751355.
ISNAD
Karaca, Muhammet Mevlüt - Buğday, Mustafa. “MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS”. Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering 26/3 (September 1, 2025): 379-386. https://doi.org/10.18038/estubtda.1751355.
JAMA
1.Karaca MM, Buğday M. MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS. Estuscience - Se. 2025;26:379–386.
MLA
Karaca, Muhammet Mevlüt, and Mustafa Buğday. “MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS”. Eskişehir Technical University Journal of Science and Technology A - Applied Sciences and Engineering, vol. 26, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 379-86, doi:10.18038/estubtda.1751355.
Vancouver
1.Muhammet Mevlüt Karaca, Mustafa Buğday. MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH SUGAR BEET PULP FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL APPLICATIONS. Estuscience - Se. 2025 Sep. 1;26(3):379-86. doi:10.18038/estubtda.1751355