Effect of grafting methodology of nano-particle reinforcement on the performance of structural hybrid composite

Inclusion of nano-sized alumina by the surface treatment of S2 fiberglass (fiber modification) or ultrasonically exfoliated in epoxy resin system (resin modification) has been shown to provide epoxy-fiberglass hybrid composite systems with changes in their mechanical/ damage behavior under static tensile loading conditions. Integration of alumina nano-particles in epoxy-S2 fiberglass to form hybrid composites has not only shown improvements in the material properties, but also changes in the failure mechanism of the material system. This phenomenon is influenced by the changes in constituent interaction and its load transfer mechanism. In the processing of these hybrids composite systems, alumina nano-particles (sized at 110nm) are functionalized and grafted into epoxy composite material system during material processing via resin solution treatment and fabric surface treatment. These alumina embedding methodologies to form hybrid composites employed are the resin modification and fiber modification in conjunction with the conventional vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process for the manufacture of composite laminates. The chemical bonding and adhesion between the inorganic alumina and the organic resin is also enhanced via the functional treatment of the alumina particles with a coupling agent in the form of tris-2-methyoxyethoxy vinylsilane- T2MEVS (silane coupling agent). Processing methodologies are used to fabricate particulate reinforcement for various (<5%wt) compositions. Performance evaluation is carried to study the effect of the nano-particulate alumina on mechanical properties. Thermo-physical properties changes caused by particulate inclusion in hybrid material matrix phase are studied via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and are also discussed.