Effect of moisture susceptibility and aging on interlaminar fracture behavior of fumed silica reinforced Jute‐Kevlar hybrid nanocomposite

Abstract

This work aims to examine the influence of moisture uptake of fumed silica reinforced Jute (J)-Kevlar (K) hybrid composite on Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness. Mode I interlaminar fracture behavior is characterized by using the double cantilever beam (DCB) test specimen. Thirteen different composites are prepared based on four stacking sequences (i.e., Jute-Jute-Jute-Jute [JJJJ], Jute-Kevlar-Kevlar-Jute [JKKJ], Kevlar-Jute-Jute-Kevlar [KJJK], and Kevlar-Kevlar-Kevlar-Kevlar [KKKK]) and four nanofiller percentages (i.e., 0%, 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%). Mode I fracture is experimented by using DCB test specimens. Mode I fracture energy (G IC ) and Resistance curve (R-curve) is evaluated by using the modified beam theory (MBT) data reduction method at dry and wet conditions of the specimens. The interlaminar fracture surface of the composites is analyzed using an optical microscope. It is noticed that moisture ingression severely affects the fiber bridging, which is a key factor influencing the Mode I fracture resistance. The presence of fumed silica also plays a vital role by preventing the microcracks generation surrounding the fibers due to fiber swelling. The fiber swelling is caused by moisture ingression.The composite with stacking sequence JKKJ and 3% of nanofiller (JKKJ-3) is proved to be the reasonable Mode I fracture-resistant material in moist environment.

Fracture behavior of high‐performance carbon fiber composites toughened by reactive polyetherimide

“…It is well‐known that carbon fibers are resistant to solvents and remain stable in most service environments, and the components most susceptible to solvent attack in CFECs is the matrix and interface (Figure 5B). 73 Overall, the DCM uptake in C‐TGDDM, C‐LrPEI, and C‐HrPEI are 0.52 ± 0.04%, 1.29 ± 0.08%, and 0.90 ± 0.04% respectively after 7 days immersion in DCM. These values are lower than those of other modified epoxy resins in CFECs (>2%, at 30°C) from previous studies 74,75 .…”

Investigation on interlayer debonding behavior of unidirectional composite laminates under cyclical hygrothermal aging duration effects

“…Wong et al 33 determined that mode I fracture toughness gradually declined when moisture content increased from 2.2% to 5.3%. Maharana et al 34 revealed that the water‐immersed sample exhibited a significant reduction of 16.17% in initiation interlaminar fracture toughness and its propagation fracture toughness also decreased compared to the dry sample. Furthermore, the moisture ingression had a pronounced detrimental impact on the propagation fracture toughness as opposed to the initiation fracture toughness.…”

Preparation and Dispersion Performance of Hydrophobic Fumed Silica Aqueous Dispersion

“…Fumed silica is a kind of amorphous particle with a small size, approximately between 10 and 40 nm, and an extremely large specific surface area [4]. In addition to providing thermal insulation, thickening, thixotropy, and anti-settling [5][6][7][8], it also has the effect of reinforcement, color development, and improving powder fluidity [9][10][11][12][13]. Fumed silica has been widely used in coatings, adhesives, and other composite materials [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”