Enhancing Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of flax fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano TiO2. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prasad, Vishnu; Sekar, K.; Varghese, Soney; Joseph, M.A.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 124(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: A. Natural fibres -- A. Nanocomposites -- D. Mechanical testing -- E. Compression moulding; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.105505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

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.