Impact of flyash on mechanical and Visco-elastic properties of woven glass fabric-epoxy composites and their correlation with interfacial interaction parameters
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025
Impact of flyash on mechanical and Visco-elastic properties of woven glass fabric-epoxy composites and their correlation with interfacial interaction parameters
This study presents a novel approach to enhance the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of woven glass fabric reinforced epoxy composites through the strategic incorporation of fly ash. Composites with 5–20 wt% FA were fabricated using hand lay-up followed by compression molding. Comprehensive characterization, including tensile, flexural, and dynamic mechanical analysis, revealed that 15 wt% FA yielded optimal improvements in mechanical and viscoelastic properties. These enhancements are attributed to superior fiber-matrix and filler-matrix interfacial bonding and uniform FA dispersion within the matrix. The findings not only validate FA as an eco-friendly and cost-effective filler but also advance the understanding of filler-matrix interaction in composite systems using a novel correlation between interface interaction factors (N, C, and b) and mechanical properties.
RashadAM. The effect of polypropylene, polyvinyl-alcohol, carbon and glass fibres on geopolymers properties. Mater Sci Technol (UK)2019; 35: 127–146.
4.
PurohitRSahuPRanaRS, et al.Analysis of mechanical properties of fiber glass-epoxy-fly ash composites. Mater Today Proc2017; 4: 3102–3109.
5.
FengBLuZ. Properties and microstructure of fly ash geopolymer modified with beta-phosphogypsum. J Polym Res2024; 31: 1–12.
6.
AndavanSPagadalaVK. A study on soil stabilization by addition of fly ash and lime. Mater Today Proc2020; 22: 1125–1129.
7.
DabiNPatwaN. Flyash: an effective method for treatment of wastewater. In: International journal of engineering research & technology (IJERT), www.ijert.org, www.ijert.org (2015, accessed 19 June 2023).
8.
Satheesh RajaRManisekarKManikandanV. Study on mechanical properties of fly ash impregnated glass fiber reinforced polymer composites using mixture design analysis. Mater Des2014; 55: 499–508.
9.
StimoniarisASkouraEGournisD, et al.Structure and properties of epoxy/fly ash system: influence of filler content and surface modification. J Mater Eng Perform2019; 28: 4620–4629.
SunYLyuYJiangA, et al.Fabrication and characterization of aluminum matrix fly ash cenosphere composites using different stir casting routes. J Mater Res2014; 29: 260–266.
12.
KasarAKGuptaNRohatgiPK, et al.A brief review of fly ash as reinforcement for composites with improved mechanical and tribological properties. JOM2020; 72: 2340–2351.
13.
TambrallimathVKeshavamurthyRDavimP, et al.Synthesis and characterization of flyash reinforced polymer composites developed by fused filament fabrication. J Mater Res Technol2022; 21: 810–826.
14.
PathakRBKumarPMishraAP, et al.Fabrication of nanocomposite membrane composed of sulfonated PVDF and thermo-mechanically modified fly ash for application in direct methanol fuel cells. J Polym Res2023; 30: 1–18.
15.
GikunooEOmotosoOOguochaINA. Effect of fly ash particles on the mechanical properties of aluminium casting alloy A535. Mater Sci Technol2005; 21: 143–152.
16.
MuYLYaoGCLuoHJ. Compressive properties of closed cell Al alloy-fly ash particle composite foams. Mater Sci Technol2011; 27: 434–436.
17.
SinghMKumarPDahiyaD, et al.Fly ash as a sustainable reinforcement in composite materials: A comprehensive review on enhancing mechanical properties for eco-friendly engineering. Discov Mater 2025; 5: 1–27.
18.
RangariVKBhuyanMSJeelaniS. Microwave curing of CNFs/EPON-862 nanocomposites and their thermal and mechanical properties. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2011; 42: 849–858.
19.
KarKK. Composite materials: Processing, applications, characterizations. Heidelberg: Springer, 2016, Epub ahead of print 1 January 2016. DOI:10.1007/978-3-662-49514-8/COVER.
20.
VyavahareSAMoreAP. Roasted neem (Azadirachta indica) bark powder/polyaniline (PANI)–epoxy composite coating for anticorrosive application. Polym Bull2024; 81: 11709–11727.
21.
ArunaMHossainIMKVenkateshR, et al.Treated sisal fiber made epoxy composite hybridize with silicon carbide nanoparticles: Characteristics study. J Polym Res2024; 31: 1–9.
22.
TrihotriMDwivediUKKhanFH, et al.Effect of curing on activation energy and dielectric properties of carbon black–epoxy composites at different temperatures. J Non Cryst Solids2015; 421: 1–13.
23.
MathewDNairCPRNinanKN. Bisphenol A dicyanate-novolac epoxy blend: cure characteristics, physical and mechanical properties, and application in composites. J Appl Polym Sci1999; 74: 1675–1685.
24.
JelićASekulićMTravicaM, et al.Determination of mechanical properties of epoxy composite materials reinforced with silicate nanofillers using digital image correlation (DIC). Polymers (Basel)2022; 14: 1255.
25.
HminghluiLAshokKGRajuM, et al.Experimental and numerical studies on the mechanical characteristics of Timoho fiber epoxy composites with nanofiller addition. Polym Compos2024; 45: 4093–4106.
Abdul KhalilHPSJawaidMAbu BakarA. Woven hybrid composites: water absorption and thickness swelling behaviours. Bioresources2011; 6: 1043–1052.
28.
XuTAnLYinQ, et al.Influence of different composite curing agents on the rapid curing characteristics and mechanical performance of epoxy resins. AIP Adv2024; 14: 105014.
29.
MishraISahuSK. An experimental approach to free vibration response of woven fiber composite plates under free-free boundary condition. Int J Adv Technol Civ Eng2020; 1: 1.
30.
ChenY. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites for power equipment. In: Polymer composites for electrical engineering. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2021, pp.377–417.
31.
GuptaNBrarBSWoldesenbetE. Effect of filler addition on the compressive and impact properties of glass fibre reinforced epoxy. Bull Mater Sci2001; 24: 219–223.
32.
ParetaASGuptaRPandaSK. Experimental investigation on fly ash particulate reinforcement for property enhancement of PU foam core FRP sandwich composites. Compos Sci Technol2020; 195: 108207.
33.
EkkaAPandaARanjan MahapatraT, et al.Erosion and wear analysis of fly ash filled GFRP composite. Mater Today Proc2023: 1–7. DOI:10.1016/J.MATPR.2023.01.140
34.
ŠimonováHBazanPKucharczykováB, et al.Hybrid geopolymer composites based on fly ash reinforced with glass and flax fibers. Appl Sci2024; 14: 1–8.
35.
VijaykumarHKBilagiNAMaazK. Analysis of the flexure behavior and compressive strength of fly ash core sandwiched composite material. J Eng Res Appl2014; 4: 41–48.
36.
RajakDKPagarDDMenezesPL, et al.Fiber-Reinforced polymer composites: manufacturing, properties, and applications. Polymers (Basel)2019; 11: 1667.
37.
AznawGM. Advances in composite structures: a systematic review of design, performance, and sustainability trends. Compos Mater2025; 9: 1–17.
38.
SiJChenWYiS, et al.A new and efficient zigzag theory for laminated composite plates. Compos Struct2023; 322: 117356.
39.
NguyenND. A new higher-order beam theory for buckling and free vibration responses of laminated composite and functionally graded porous beams. J Strain Anal Eng Des2024; 59: 67–81.
40.
ShiPDongCSunF, et al.A new higher order shear deformation theory for static, vibration and buckling responses of laminated plates with the isogeometric analysis. Compos Struct2018; 204: 342–358.
41.
MutalikdesaiSHattiGKudalM, et al.Influence of various filler materials on mechanical characteristics of epoxy glass composites. Am J Mater Sci2017; 7: 99–101.
42.
MutalikdesaiSHadapadAPatoleS, et al.Fabrication and mechanical characterization of glass fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites using fly ash/nano clay/zinc oxide as filler. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng2018; 376: 012061, 1–6.
43.
JayaramanPHegdeSIVTR, et al.Influence of fly-ash filler and moisture content on vibrational and acoustic properties of basalt fibre reinforced composites. Adv Mater Process Technol2024; 11: 1072–1084.
44.
NikhilKVRamasubramanianSGudimetlaA, et al.Experimental investigation on vibration characteristics and damping factor of coir fiber reinforced polyester composite material. Disc Appl Sci2025; 7: 1–23.
45.
KalusuramanGKumaranSTBalamuruganK, et al.Vibration studies on fiber reinforced composites–a review. J Nat Fibres2023; 20: 2157361.
46.
SathishkumarGKMohamed AkheelMIbrahimM, et al.Experimental and finite element analysis of lignite fly ash on the mechanical properties of sisal-added polymer matrix composite using ANSYS workbench. J Nat Fibres2022; 19: 7008–7032.
47.
AtmakuriAPaleviciusAVilkauskasA, et al.Numerical and experimental analysis of mechanical properties of natural-fiber-reinforced hybrid polymer composites and the effect on matrix material. Polymers (Basel)2022; 14: 2612.
48.
RaghunandanABChiniwarDSHiremathS, et al.Modelling and comparative analysis of epoxy-fly-ash composite with alloys for bracket application. J Compos Sci2022; 6: 1–9.
49.
NargolkarMGawadePNS. Effect of fly ash as filler on glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Int J Adv Res Sci Commun Technol2023; 3: 76–82.
50.
BahetiVMilitkyJMishraR, et al.Thermomechanical properties of glass fabric/epoxy composites filled with fly ash. Compos B Eng2016; 85: 268–276.
51.
NagarajaSAnandPBShivakumarHD, et al.Influence of fly ash filler on the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of epoxy polymer composites reinforced with pineapple leaf fibre for biomedical applications. RSC Adv2024; 14: 14680–14696.
KumarSDasRParidaSK. Evaluation of mechanical properties of sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata) fibers and epoxy resin composite laminates using fly ash as filler material. J Compos Sci2025; 9: 38.
54.
KumarMKumarMBSoundeswaranS. Mechanical properties of fly ash filled GFRP composite material. Int J Emerg Technol2020; 11: 215–218.
55.
PradeepAVReddyPSChaitanyaMM. Effect of flyash on mechanical properties of glass fiber polymer composites. Int J Mech Prod Eng2014: 2: 1–3.
56.
ChandraRCMaheshaCRSuprithaM. Vibrational characteristics of chopped glass fibre and flyash filled epoxy composites. Int Res J Eng Technol2019; 06: 1728–1733.
57.
MishraSKumarRVermaV. A review of thermoplastic-based low-cost composite bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Polym Bull2024; 82: 1057–1084.
58.
MishraSVermaVKishoreV, et al.A review of polymeric bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: materials, fabrication, applications, cost analysis, and current status. Energy Environ2024; 35: 4408–4444.
59.
JuSYoonJSungD, et al.Mechanical properties of coal ash particle-reinforced recycled plastic-based composites for sustainable railway sleepers. Polymers (Basel)2020; 12: 1–15.
60.
BadaruzzamanWHWDabbaghNMRSallehKM, et al.Mechanical properties and water absorption capacity of hybrid GFRP composites. Polymers (Basel)2022; 14: 1394.
61.
SathishkumarGKGauthamGShankarGG, et al.Influence of lignite fly ash on the structural and mechanical properties of banana fiber containing epoxy polymer matrix composite. Polym Bull2022; 79: 285–306.
62.
ReddySPRaoPVCSReddyAC, et al.Tensile and flexural strength of glass fiber epoxy composites. International conference on advanced materials and manufacturing Technologies (AMMT).
63.
ParvaizMRMohantySNayakSK, et al.Effect of surface modification of fly ash on the mechanical, thermal, electrical and morphological properties of polyetheretherketone composites. Mater Sci Eng A2011; 528: 4277–4286.
64.
IrawanAPAnggarinaPTUtamaDW, et al.An experimental investigation into mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid woven rattan/glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Polymers (Basel)2022; 14: 5562.
65.
IsmailASJawaidMHamidNH, et al.Dimensional stability, density, void and mechanical properties of flax fabrics reinforced bio-phenolic/epoxy composites. J Ind Text2022; 52: 1–22.
66.
KumarRVarshneySKarKK, et al.Fabrication and characterization of eco-friendly human-hair derived porous carbon-filled carbon fabric-reinforced polymer composites. Polym Compos2019; 40: E1573–E1587.
67.
MishraSKumarRKumarR, et al.Superior mechanical and visco-elastic properties of fly-ash filled woven glass fabric reinforced phenolic composite and their correlation with interfacial interaction parameters. Fibers Polym2025; 26: 1–13.
68.
Sathiya NarayananNSai Venkat MohanDAbhinayJ, et al.Effects on microhardness, tensile strength, deflection, and drop weight impact resistance with the addition of hybrid filler materials for enhancing GFRP composites. Sci Rep2024; 14: 1–27.
69.
AkilHZamriMH. Performance of natural fiber composites under dynamic loading. In: Natural fibre composites: materials, processes and applications. New Delhi, India: Woodhead Publishing, 2014, pp.323–344.
70.
MenardKP. Dynamic mechanical analysis : a practical introduction, 2nd ed. Boca Rota, Florida, USA: CRC Press, Epub ahead of print 28 May 2008, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420053135.
71.
JyotiJSinghBPAryaAK, et al.Dynamic mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced ABS composites and their correlation with entanglement density, adhesion, reinforcement and C factor. RSC Adv2016; 6: 3997–4006.
72.
IsmailASJawaidMHamidNH, et al.Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of Flax/bio-phenolic/epoxy reinforced hybrid composites. J King Saud Univ Sci2023; 35: 102790.
73.
SingKSWEverettDHHaulRAW, et al.Reporting physisorption data for gas/solid systems with special reference to the determination of surface area and porosity (Recommendations 1984). Pure Appl Chem1985; 57: 603–619.
74.
KumarRKarKKDasguptaK. Static and dynamic mechanical analysis of graphite flake filled phenolic-carbon fabric composites and their correlation with interfacial interaction parameters. Polym Eng Sci2018; 58: 1987–1999.
75.
OommenZGroeninckxGThomasS. Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of physically compatibilized natural rubber/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends by the addition of natural rubber-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate). J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys2000; 38: 525–536.
KumarRKarKKDasguptaK. Superior electrical, mechanical and viscoelastic properties of CNTs coated carbon textile reinforced phenolic composite for high-performance structural applications. J Appl Polym Sci2021; 138: 49968.
78.
PandeyAKKumarRKachhavahVS, et al.Mechanical and thermal behaviours of graphite flake-reinforced acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene composites and their correlation with entanglement density, adhesion, reinforcement and C factor. RSC Adv2016; 6: 50559–50571.
SriramanNSreehariVMJayendra BharathiR, et al.Mechanical characteristics of glass epoxy composites with Yttrium powder fillers. Mater Today Proc2022; 50: 2462–2466.
81.
SrinivasanRKamarajM. Mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites with boron carbide nanofiller. Proc Inst Mech Eng C J Mech Eng Sci2024; 238: 3116–3126.
82.
MegahedMFathyAMorsyD, et al.Mechanical performance of glass/epoxy composites enhanced by micro- and nanosized aluminum particles. J Ind Text2021; 51: 68–92.
83.
ShahariSGhazliMFAbdullahMMAB, et al.A comparative study on effects of fly ash and fly ash based geopolymer on the fire and mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced epoxy composite. Constr Build Mater2024; 457. DOI:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.139434
84.
KunbithopAM. A short review on fly ash, rice husk ash and rice husk composites. Int J Emerg Trends Eng Res2021; 9: 841–845.
85.
WangGLiZYanJ, et al.Value-added utilization of coal fly ash in polymeric composite decking boards. J Mater Res Technol2023; 23: 4199–4210.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
