Modal analysis on nanoclay epoxy-based fiber-glass laminates

This paper focuses on the vibration analysis of fiber glass/epoxy/nanoclay nanocomposites. The modal analysis was performed using a grid of 35 response measurement points. For modes I and 7, where the bending-twisting shape mode is observed, the damping coefficient increases by about 27%, on average. For modes 2 through 6, where bending is noticed, the average increase is around 68%, with peaks of 169%. A new shape mode comes out at 600 Hz frequency when the nanoclay content reaches 2%. A crossing mode, mode 4 with inferior frequency than mode 3, for the 5% and 10% nanoclay content is also observed. For events where high frequencies are generated, the nanoclay content of 2% leads to a higher energy dissipation. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.