Low velocity impact and fracture characterization of SiO2 nanoparticles filled basalt fiber reinforced composite tubes

Nano-microscale fracture mechanisms, which affect fracture toughness, play an important role in improving the impact characterization of fiber reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, crack behaviors are tried to be controlled with fracture mechanisms by filling nanoparticles into polymer matrix for improving impact characteristics and fracture toughness in latest studies. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of SiO2 nanoparticles addition into epoxy matrix on the low velocity impact characteristics and fracture toughness in basalt fiber reinforced filament wound composite tubes. SiO2 nanoparticle of 4% wt. filled and unfilled +/- [55](6) filament wound basalt fiber reinforced/epoxy composite tubes were subjected to low velocity impact tests at 5 J, 10 J, and 15 J of energy levels. It was seen that while the addition of nanoparticles were increasing the maximum impact forces in the range of about 19%-32%, displacements and absorbed energies decreased because of the increase in the bending stiffness. Charpy impact tests were performed to three different notched arc shaped specimens for determining the impact fracture toughness. SiO2 nanoparticles increased the fracture toughness by 20%-23%. It was observed that SiO2 nanoparticles delayed the formation of failures such as debonding and delamination, and reduced the fiber breakage branching in low velocity impact tests. A liquid penetrant test was used to inspect the crack formations and progressions on the impacted surfaces of all composite tubes as practical inspection for industrial applications. It was seen that microscope and SEM analysis supported the liquid penetrant inspection, which is a non-destructive testing method.