The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of nanosilica on glass-reinforced epoxy composites under static mechanical and tension–tension fatigue loading. The glass-reinforced epoxy composites were manufactured with three different concentrations of nanosilica (6, 7, and 8 wt%). Static mechanical tests include tensile, flexure and short-beam strength. 6 wt% nanosilica composites showed the greatest enhancement in tensile strength, percentage elongation, and inter-laminar shear strength compared to the other concentrations and the control. Extensive tension–tension fatigue tests (R-ratio of 0.1 and frequency 2 Hz) were conducted on the control and 6 wt% nanosilica composites. In load-controlled and constant amplitude tests, a percentage of the ultimate tensile strength was applied to the specimens. Stress applied was from 80% of UTS, and reduced in steps of 10% until specimens survived 1 million cycles. In high-cycle and low-cycle fatigue tests, 6 wt% nanosilica composites showed 10 and 3 times improvement in fatigue life, respectively, compared to the control composites. Stiffness degradation curves were explained with three stages of damage mechanisms. The final failure occurred due to fiber breakage in the third stage. Both the control and 6 wt% nanosilica composites survived 1 million cycles at a maximum stress of 46.6 MPa, but at the end of 1 million cycles, control composites lost 65% modulus compared to 45% modulus loss in the 6 wt% nanosilica composites.
The addition of fillers to polymer composites induces a positive influence on the mechanical and tribological properties of the hybrid composites. These properties can be validated for possible uses such as automobile, construction, shipping, aerospace, sports equipment, electronics, and biomedical domains. In the present research, epoxy matrix reinforced with nylon-6 fibers and glass fibers were prepared using the solution blend technique. Alumina nanoparticles are added as fillers to enhance the properties of epoxy hybrid composites. The large surface area of interaction of nanofillers exhibits better adhesion between matrix and fibers of composites, and it significantly affects the various properties of composites. The tribological characteristics of fabricated epoxy hybrid composites were evaluated under various parameters and conditions. The results revealed that the addition of nanofiller significantly reduces the wear loss of epoxy hybrid nanocomposites. The wear resistance of epoxy hybrid composites increased with increase in addition of nanofiller up to 1.0%, and it slightly decreased with the further addition of filler. The Taguchi analysis was carried out for the least coefficient of friction and specific wear rate. The analysis found that the specific wear rate and coefficient of friction mainly depend on load, followed by speed and nanofiller. The fractured and worn surface of Al2O3-filled epoxy hybrid composites was analysed using SEM.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.