Effect of silica particle loading on shape distortion in glass/vinyl ester-laminated composite plates

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced composites loaded with micro/nano particles are being employed in industry for their functional properties. However, behaviour of such composites is different while fabrication is due to the presence of particles. One major parameter needs to be investigated is process-induced residual stress which cause shape distortion in the part. These stresses are generated due to the mismatch of thermal expansion behaviour between the plies, resulting in shape distortion of the composite part. The current study focuses to determine the effect of silica fillers on shape distortion of glass/vinyl ester-laminated composite plates. The resin samples reinforced with 0, 2, 4, 5 and 6% (vol%) of silica particles were prepared and their thermal expansion coefficients (CTE) were determined using Dilatometer. The fillers tend to decrease the CTE of reinforced resin and increase its modulus, as determined using UTM. Composite plates with UD glass were prepared with and without fillers to investigate the distortion behaviour. The experimental results showed that the curvature reduced from 4.3243 to 2.0973 mm by addition of 5% silica particles. The curvature in plates was also simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics, and results are correlated with the experimental values.