Understanding the effect of nanoparticles TiO2, Al2O3 and SiO2 on damage mechanisms of a polymer composite

Abstract

In this paper, nanoparticles obtained by Sol-gel method have been incorporated as a filler in glass fiber/polyester composite in order to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting material. This work covered on the characterization and the study of the polymer matrix with 5 wt.%nano TiO2, 5 wt.%nano Al2O3, 5 wt.%nano SiO2.The results obtained revealed that sol-gel powders with a spherical morphology have excellent thermal stability. Acoustic emission analysis was used to investigate the microscopic damage mechanisms and progression in glass fiber reinforced nanocomposites. Thus, acoustic emission from four modes of approval has been identified: matrix cracking, matrix/fiber decohesion, delamination and fiber breakage. This study shows the increase of mechanical performance and the decrease of damage modes of @Polyester. From the SEM images, the good dispersion of nanofillers, absence of agglomerates, the good affinity with the improving of the interface compatibility were presented.