Effect of hybrid thermal cycling and shock on flexural properties of nanoclay/glass/epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

In present research, the flexural properties of glass/epoxy composites reinforced by nanoclay particles (3, 5 and 7 wt.%) under various hybrid thermal cycling and shock loadings (15 and 30 thermal cycles at immediate −70°C and +100°C temperatures) have been investigated. It was found that the flexural strength of 5 wt.% nanoclay/glass/epoxy nanocomposites under 15 and 30 hybrid thermal loadings was enhanced by 19.35% and 20.78%, respectively. Also, after 15 hybrid thermal loadings, the flexural stiffness of 5 wt.% clay/glass/epoxy nanocomposites increased by 9.30% compared to static conditions. More importantly, after 30 hybrid thermal loadings, by adding more filler contents, the flexural stiffness was increased. For instance, at 7 wt.% clay/glass/epoxy nanocomposites, the flexural stiffness enhanced 17.97% compared to neat composite. FESEM morphology images confirmed that presence of optimum filler contents changed the composites inherent properties. Therefore, the outcome of this research can show various remarkable advantages for researchers to apply nanoclay as nanofillers to reinforce composites structures under hybrid thermal cycling and shock applications.