The influence of incorporation of silica and carbon nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of hybrid glass fiber reinforced epoxy

Recently, the study of hybrid nanocomposites has attracted much attention because they are highly expected for being used in many applications. In this context, there is an insisting need to investigate the effect of incorporation of silica and carbon particulates nanofillers into epoxy reinforced with woven and nonwoven tissue glass fiber. The influence of incorporation of silica (SiO2) and carbon black nanoparticles (C) with different weight fractions on the tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue performance of epoxy matrix reinforced with two types of E-glass fiber was investigated. The results showed an improvement in tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue life with addition of almost all nanoparticles contents considerably with respect to that of the neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites (NGFRE). Hybrid composites filled with 0.5 wt.% C exhibited the highest tensile strength and fatigue performance with an enhancement of 19% and 60% compared to NGFRE, respectively. An increase of 57% and 28% in tensile modulus and impact strength over NGFRE was obtained respectively with hybrid composites filled with 1 wt.% C. Adding 0.25 wt.% SiO2 and 0.25 wt.% C simultaneously showed an improvement in mechanical properties. SEM images of tensile and impact fracture surfaces are presented for CS 0.5 specimens which in turn reveal weak fiber/matrix interface.