Preparation and characterization of Kevlar/glass fiber laminates with a nanoclay enhanced epoxy matrix

Abstract

Abstract Improvement of existing composite material to obtain new composite materials is the real challenge for most of the materials engineers. So, there are huge research endeavors emerging in the field of composites to grow new materials with upgraded mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Among these, fiber reinforced polymer composites are the most charming as a result of their sufficient utilization in different applications which incorporates numerous mechanical, automotive and structural components. The present study investigates the mechanical characteristics of a Kevlar/glass fiber reinforced with Cloisite 30B nanoclay. Kevlar fibers have been widely used as impact-resistant reinforcement in composite materials. However, there are very few works about the effects of nanoclays on the impact strength of Kevlar/glass laminates. Nanoclay Cloisite 30B (2 wt.-%) was dispersed in the epoxy system. Such laminates manufactured with epoxy resin filled by 2 wt.-% of nanoclay showed the best performance in terms of elastic recuperation and penetration threshold. The opposite tendency was observed for the displacement at peak load. However, marginal benefits can be found when compared with the results obtained for laminates filled by 2 wt.% nanoclay. Kevlar/glass fibers were reinforced with different particulate fractions of chosen nanoclay and the specimens were investigated regarding mechanical properties such as tensile, impact and flexural strength.