Abstract
The present study seeks to examine the effect of matrix modification on the interlaminar properties of flax fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano Titanium dioxide (nano TiO2) particle addition. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness is evaluated using (double cantilever beam) DCB and (end-notched flexure) ENF test specimens. Nano TiO2 (50 nm size) is mixed in the epoxy by mechanical stirring followed by sonication process at a loading rate of 0, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 wt%. Compression moulding is the fabrication procedure followed. The results indicate that nanoparticle addition improves the interlaminar fracture toughness values. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness values improved by 52% (for 0.4 wt% TiO2) and 73% (for 0.5 wt% TiO2) respectively. Structural properties are studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images are observed to evaluate the fibre matrix interface and failure mechanisms.
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