| dc.description.abstract | In this study, we developed a novel, lightweight, and eco-friendly sandwich composite using an
expanded perlite core reinforced with glass fiber/epoxy at varying fiber lengths (5 mm, 10 mm, 15
mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm by weight of expanded perlite), and Formica sheets as the outer skins. The
objective was to investigate the effect of glass fiber length on the mechanical and thermal properties
of the fabricated composites. Specifically, we evaluated flexural and compressive strength, modulus,
and toughness, as well as thermal conductivity, to assess the potential of these sandwich structures
for sustainable applications.The results show that flexural strength increases from approximately 12
MPa at 5 mm fiber length to a peak of around 16 MPa at 10 mm, followed by a gradual decline and
stabilization around 12–13 MPa for fiber lengths between 15 mm and 25 mm. This indicates that a
10 mm fiber length provides optimal flexural strength, while longer fibers offer diminishing returns.
Similarly, the flexural modulus rises from about 1500 MPa at 5 mm to a maximum of approximately
1800 MPa at 10 mm. Beyond this, it declines slightly and stabilizes between 1400–1500 MPa for
lengths of 15–25 mm, suggesting that 10 mm also yields the best stiffness characteristics.The flexural
toughness follows a comparable trend, increasing from 0.18 at 5 mm to a peak of around 0.3 at 10
mm, then gradually decreasing to 0.2 at 15 mm, and further to 0.15 at 20 mm and 25 mm. This
demonstrates that 10 mm fiber length provides the highest energy absorption capability, while longer
fibers reduce performance, possibly due to fiber agglomeration or poor dispersion. Overall, the
findings suggest that a 10 mm glass fiber length is optimal for maximizing the mechanical
performance of these sandwich composites, while also maintaining favorable thermal properties for
sustainable engineering applications. | en_US |
