Specific functional properties of 3D woven glass nanocomposites

An exploratory work has been carried out in the field of three-phase composites in which fly ash nanoparticles were incorporated in addition with 2D and 3D glass woven fabrics while preparing composites. These fly ash nanoparticles were prepared by high-energy ball milling technique and its effect on functional properties of composites were observed. In thermo-mechanical analysis, the composites with the 3D woven fabrics as reinforcement showed higher storage modulus. Further improvement in the storage modulus due to addition of fly ash can be explained as the nanoscale dimension of fly ash nanoparticles have got very large surface area which leads to interaction sites and hence efficient load transfer between reinforcing agent and matrix. Though the addition of fly ash nanoparticles improved the mechanical properties of composites marginally, a significant improvement was observed in functional properties of composites.