Effects of nanomaterials on the mechanical properties of epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract

In this study, the effects of nanoparticles added to a newly developed hybrid composite material are examined. We investigated enhancing mechanical properties of plain weave (PW) carbon and glass fiber fabric/epoxy resin hybrid composite material we had developed by adding nanomaterials into the composition. For this purpose, we selected silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNT). The two different nanomaterials are added into epoxy resin (L160) in four different combinations, which are SiO2, CNT + SiO2 and CNT together and none, and in five different thickness, which are laminations of three, five, seven, eleven and fifteen layers. We then tested these four mixtures in five thickness making up twenty combinations in the area of mechanical properties using tension test methods. Results of the tests in stress–strain graphs are shared in detail by displaying the mechanical properties of epoxy hybrid composite materials in tables and load-extension figures. The results and their causes are discussed giving a general conclusion of the nanomaterial enhancement properties of the new hybrid composite.