Geri Dönüştürülmüş EPS ve Epoksi Kullanılarak Üretilen Kompozit Malzemeler: Sürdürülebilirlik ve Performansın Birleşimi

Epoxy composites are high-strength and lightweight materials created by combining epoxy matrix with reinforcing materials. Such composites have a wide range of applications in aviation, automotive, energy, and many other industrial sectors. In this study, the effects of surface-coated expanded polystyrene (rEPS) bubbles added to epoxy matrix at different ratios (%1, %3, %7, %11, and %14) on material properties were investigated. Material properties such as density, hardness, surface gloss at a 60° angle, and Charpy impact strength were measured according to varying rEPS ratios. The results showed that rEPS bubbles reduced density, thereby reducing the weight of the material, affected surface gloss, and decreased impact strength. There was no significant difference in hardness values, but impact strength decreased with increasing rEPS content. The effects of homogeneous distribution of rEPS bubbles on material properties were examined, and it was emphasized that the use of rEPS should be optimized with appropriate production processes. This study has been an important step in understanding the performance of rEPS in epoxy composite materials and has provided a foundation for future research.