Effects of co-fillers on the tensile and hardness properties of polymer composites

Abstract Polymer composites are structural materials created by incorporating fillers into polymer matrices. The tensile and hardness properties of polymer composites are important for their functioning in structural applications. Incorporating co-fillers into polymer composites has emerged as an alternative strategy for improving their mechanical properties further than the capabilities of the single filler system. In this concise review, various co-fillers, primary fillers, and polymer matrices employed in polymer composites are classified. In addition, the effects of co-fillers on the tensile and hardness properties of polymer composites are briefly described. This review provides succinct insights that increase the comprehension of tensile and hardness properties in polymer composites containing co-fillers. In short, numerous investigations demonstrate that incorporating co-fillers improves the tensile and hardness properties of polymer composites. This improvement is attributed to co-fillers (whether inorganic-, organic-, or carbon-based materials) enhancing the strength, stiffness, flexibility, and hardness of various polymer composites, including elastomer, thermoplastic, and thermoset composites.