Bending Stress and Deformation Analysis of Nanosilica Filled Arenga Pinnata/Epoxy and Glass/Epoxy Polymer Composites

Abstract

AbstractBending in applied mechanics characterises the action of a slender structural structure subjected to an external load applied perpendicular to the element's longitudinal axis. Bending stress deformation behaviour and flexural properties of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials are important in designing structures and mechanical components. The bending or flexural properties of FRP composite materials depend on the type of fibre and the fibre sequence architecture. In this study, bending stress and deformation analysis were determined using modelling and simulation techniques. The dimension of the specimen was set up based on ASTM standard D7264. The effect of fibre types, i.e., Arenga Pinnata and Glass, on flexural stress–strain behaviour, the effect of layer sequence on maximum bending stress and deformation properties, and the effect of 25 wt.% nanosilica inclusion in the epoxy were simulated and calculated. ANSYS Software was used to simulate the symmetric [θ/−θ/0/0]s laminate sequence. The effects of nanosilica and fibre orientation of 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° on flexural behaviour were investigated. From this study, it was found that the 45° unidirectional laminate exhibited the highest flexural strength. The maximum bending stress of 25APFRP was 90.7 MPa with a maximum deflection of 4.447 mm. The presence of 5 wt.% nanosilica improved the bending properties of Arenga Pinnata with a maximum bending stress of 94.1 MPa and 4.486 mm maximum deflection. It can be concluded that FRP composites made of Arenga Pinnata FRP composites have high flexural properties when compared to conventional Glass FRP composites.KeywordsBendingFlexuralArenga PinnataPolymer compositeANSYS