A composite refers to a material composed of two or more distinct constituents with different physical or chemical properties, combined to create a new material with enhanced characteristics. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have garnered significant attention due to their versatile properties and wide-ranging applications. The incorporation of fillers into polymer matrices plays a crucial role in tailoring the properties of PMCs. In polymer matrix composites there can be used two different types of fillers, natural and synthetic. In this study, unsaturated polyester resin was used as thermoset matrix material. Calcite and oak wood sawdust are used as fillers. Calcite is used as a synthetic filler and oak wood sawdust is a natural filler. Also, ratios vary depending on filler types, but the total filler ratio is chosen as 20%. Composite samples were prepared by pouring the mixture into an open Teflon mould. The physical properties of the samples such as tensile, impact, density, water absorption and hardness were investigated. Images of broken surfaces were analysed by SEM. As a result of the study, it was evaluated that oak wood sawdust and calcite can be used together in polyester-based composite applications.
Kartal et al. (Wed,) studied this question.