Development of hybrid glass fiber/epoxy nanocomposites strengthened with ceramic nanoparticles: mechanical and dynamic mechanical performance

Abstract

Composite materials are used in a wide range of contemporary applications. Consequently, the development of high-performance hybrid nanocomposites for advanced engineering applications continues to depend critically on the optimization of nanoparticle content and processing conditions. The present work investigates the significance of incorporating SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles on an epoxy matrix reinforced with different E-glass fiber layers in terms of its tensile, flexural, impact strength, and dynamic mechanical performance. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical performance of hybrid woven glass fiber/epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with TiO2 and SiO2 ceramic nanoparticles was developed and evaluated. Based on results from experiments, the stiffness, toughness, and structural integrity of the composites were considerably improved by increasing the number of woven glass fiber layers from 6 to 9 layers. As the number of fiber layers and nanoparticle incorporation increased, it was found that the mechanical performance improved. The greatest improvement was observed in 0.5 wt% TiO₂-reinforced composites, which achieved a 66% increase in tensile strength (262 MPa) compared with neat 9 layers of glass fiber/epoxy composites (157 MPa). The flexural strength of the nanocomposites increased by 28%, from 309 MPa for nine layers of glass fiber/epoxy composites to 398 MPa. Furthermore, the impact strength of the composites reinforced with TiO₂ nanoparticles (G6T and G9T) was significantly higher than that of the neat and SiO₂-filled composites. E-glass fiber /epoxy laminates with two distinct fiber-layer structures, single and hybrid TiO₂/SiO₂ nanoparticle reinforcements, are compared. The use of SiO₂ or TiO₂ nanoparticles in epoxy composites makes it novel. The combined effect of dual nanoparticle reinforcement led to significant improvements in mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties in hybrid TiO₂/SiO₂ reinforced composites. To improve resistance to crack propagation and boost load transfer capability, ceramic nanoparticles were added to the epoxy matrix and glass fibers to strengthen the interfacial bond.