Effects of Boric Acid on Laminated Composites: An Experimental Study

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Fiber-reinforced composites are crucial in various industries.
• Understanding additive effects on composite properties is essential for material development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of boric acid (BA) on the thermal and mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites.
• To determine the optimal BA concentration for property enhancement.

Main Methods:

• Composite plates with varying BA content (0-1.5%) were fabricated.
• Mechanical tests (tensile, compression, shear) and thermal analyses (DSC, TGA, DMA) were conducted.
• Microstructural analysis (SEM, EDS) examined failure mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Mechanical properties like tensile strength, shear strength, and elastic modulus improved with BA addition, peaking at 0.5% BA.
• Glass transition temperature decreased with increasing BA content.
• Interlayer delamination and fiber/matrix failure were observed in BA-modified composites.

Conclusions:

• Boric acid addition generally enhances mechanical performance of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites, particularly at low concentrations.
• Thermal stability is reduced, and failure modes are altered by BA incorporation.
• Further research may explore strategies to mitigate thermal degradation while retaining mechanical benefits.