THE UTILISABILITY OF HORNBEAM WOOD SAWDUST WITH CALCITE FILLER IN POLYESTER-BASED COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Fillers are used extensively in all types of polymers such as thermoplastics, elastomers and thermosets. It is considered impossible to develop many polymers without fillers. The primary purpose of using fillers in polymer materials is to reduce cost, but as polymers have become cheaper and more commoditized today, the main purpose of using fillers is no longer to reduce cost. A wide variety of fillers are available, and with their careful selection, composite materials with improved properties for functional use can be produced. The main reasons for using particulate fillers today vary by polymer type but include improved processing, increased hardness, thermal distortion temperature and creep resistance, better wear and tear resistance, and flame retardancy. In this study, it was aimed to use organic-based hornbeam wood sawdust together with inorganic-based calcite filler. Thus, it is aimed to obtain an environmentally friendly green material. General purpose polyester resin was chosen as the matrix material for the composite due to its extensive use in industry. Hornbeam wood sawdust and calcite were used as fillers, mixed with polyester resin in certain proportions. Composite samples were obtained by open mould casting method. The filler rate was determined as 20% limit value, taking into account literature studies. Izod impact tests, tensile tests, and hardness tests of the composite samples were performed and SEM images of the broken surfaces were examined. Since the composite samples contained organic fillers, water absorption tests were also performed. As a result of the study, it was evaluated that the use of hornbeam wood sawdust and calcite together increased the impact and tensile strength, and therefore hornbeam wood sawdust could be used as a filler together with calcite in sectors such as paint and plastic.