Comparative Evaluation of Ferrochrome Ash and Ferrochrome Slag as Waste‐Derived Fillers in Jute Fiber‐Reinforced Epoxy Composites: Mechanical and Dielectric Properties

ABSTRACT With the increasing needs for sustainable and multifunctional polymer composites, the use of industrial waste as value‐added fillers has raised research interest. The present study focuses on ferrochrome‐derived oxides which have unique mechanical and dielectric properties compared to conventional fillers like fly ash, red mud, and so forth. The composites composed of a fixed amount of fiber (30 wt.% jute) and different amounts of filler (from 0 to 20 wt.% filler) were produced by hand lay‐up method and compression molding. The results showed that the tensile strength of the material increased from ~24 to ~40 MPa (≈67%) with an increasing content of filler up to an optimum of 15 wt.% whereas the flexural strength of the material increased from ~43 to ~75 MPa with an increasing content of filler up to an optimum of 15 wt.%. In addition to this loading, degradation was observed as a result of filler agglomeration and debonding at the interface. As revealed by the microstructural observation and interfacial stress transfer, the mechanical performance of Ferrochrome ash—filled composites was better than that of slag—filled composites because of relatively better dispersion of filler. The results of the dielectric analysis showed that the permittivity of ash‐filled composites improved at low frequency levels compared to the other composites, and the loss of slag‐filled composites was lower and stable over the frequency range of 10 2 –10 6 Hz. These findings demonstrate the potential of ferrochrome waste as a sustainable multifunctional filler for structural and electrical insulation applications.