Investigation of inter-laminar failure in epoxy composite hybridized with alumina nano-particles

Nano-sized alumina inclusion with alumina as a constituent of S2 fiberglass (fiber modification) or epoxy resin system (resin modification) has been shown to provide epoxy-fiberglass hybrid composite systems that have shown changes in their mechanical behavior and the damage resistance. 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. In the formation of these hybrid composite systems, alumina nano-particles (sized at 110nm) are functionalized and grafted into epoxy composite material system during material fabrication. Silane coupling agent tris-2-methyoxyethoxy vinylsilane-T2MEVS was used to improve compatibilazation between alumina particles with the epoxy (resin) and ceramic (fabric) co-constituents. Tensile tests are used to investigate the effect of nanoparticles inclusion and double cantilever beam tests are used to determine the fracture toughness. The fracture toughness is a mechanical characterization of the resistance against interface/interlaminar damage, which is the predominant failure mode in reinforced composites. The influence of the alumina particle in the hybrid composites on the micro-mechanical behavior is demonstrated by the changes in the load transfer mechanisms between the stiffened matrix and the reinforcing fabric, affecting the dynamics of interlaminar damage. Tests carried out showed improvement in fracture toughness against baseline and functionalization of the alumina also showed improvement in associated mechanical properties.