Assessments of Secondary Reinforcement of Epoxy Matrix-Glass Fibre Composite Laminates through Nanosilica (SiO₂).

Prince Lazar,Elango Natarajan,Ramesh Sengottuvelu

doi:10.3390/ma11112186

Abstract

The principal objective of this research work was to investigate the results of impregnating epoxy matrix-glass fibre composite laminates with nanosilica as secondary reinforcement. 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 3 wt% nanosilica was used and thereafter properties of composites were assessed through tensile, three point bending, quasi static indentation tests and dynamic mechanical analysis. Scanning electron microscope examinations were done on fracture surfaces and failure modes were analyzed. The internal failures of the composite due to quasi-static indentation were evaluated through C-Scan. Among samples of different weight fractions, 0.75 wt% nanosilica reinforced composite laminates exhibited substantial increase of 42% in tensile strength and 39.46% in flexural strength. The reduction in glass transition temperature (Tg), increase in storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (tan δ) were also observed. Quasi-static indentation assessments revealed that energy absorption property was enhanced significantly by 53.97%. Hence nanosilica up to 0.75 wt% can be used as a potential candidate for secondary reinforcement in epoxy composite laminates.

Highlights

The need and applications of polymer composites had significantly increased in the recent decades due to its superior properties, stiffness and strength to weight ratio
Choi et al [4] revealed that initial brittle failure of matrix is the root cause for other failure mechanisms in polymer composites under low velocity impact
Akoi et al [5] observed the similar kind of failure mechanism under quasi-static indentation

Summary

Introduction

The need and applications of polymer composites had significantly increased in the recent decades due to its superior properties, stiffness and strength to weight ratio. Engineers prefer them for marine, aerospace and automobile applications since polymer composites display enhanced fatigue and corrosion resistant properties and it can be tailored to a specific requirement of the customer [1,2]. Despite all these merits, polymer composites possess their own drawbacks which have been addressed by many researchers. Choi et al [4] revealed that initial brittle failure of matrix is the root cause for other failure mechanisms in polymer composites under low velocity impact. Akoi et al [5] observed the similar kind of failure mechanism under quasi-static indentation

Objectives

Methods

Results