Effect of SiO₂ Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Low Velocity Impact Properties of Epoxy/Glass Composites

Abstract:

Flexural strength and low velocity impact properties were investigated in terms of possibile improvements due to epoxy matrix modification by SiO₂ nanoparticles (1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%wt.) in glass/epoxy laminates formed using hand lay-up method. The matrix resin was Hexion L285 (DGEBA) with Nanopox A410 - SiO₂ (20 nm) nanoparticle suspension in the base epoxy resin (DGEBA) supplied by Evonic. Modification of epoxy matrix by variable concentrations of nanoSiO₂ does not offer significant improvements in the flexural strength σ_g, Young’s modulus E and interlaminar shear strength for 1% 3% and 5% nanoSiO₂ and for 7% a slight drop (up to ca. 15-20%) was found. Low energy (1J) impact resistance of nanocomposites represented by peak load in dynamic impact characteristics was not changed for nanocompoosites compared to the unmodified material. However at higher impact energy (3J) nanoparticles appear to slightly improve the impact energy absorption for 3% and 5%. The absence or minor improvements in the mechanical behaviour of nanocomposites is due to the failure mechanisms associated with hand layup fabrication technique: (i.e. rapid crack propagation across the extensive resin pockets and numerous pores and voids) which dominate the nanoparticle-dependent crack energy absorption mechanisms (microvoids formation and deformation).

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 838)
• Pages: 29-35
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.838.29
• Online since: June 2016
• Authors: Michał Landowski*, Krystyna Imielińska
• Keywords: Epoxy Composites, Glass Composites, Laminates, Low Velocity Impact, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles

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