Effects of Cloisite®20B inclusions on interlaminar fracture toughness of S-glass fiber-reinforced polymer composite

Abstract

Fiber reinforced plastic materials are able to be customized according to the application and behavior of materials. In this work, the effect of meticulous nanoclay, Cloisite 20B, inclusion (with various concentrations) on the interlaminar fracture toughness glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composite was experimentally investigated. The mode-I tests were conducted based on a double cantilever beam (DCB) tests using American society of testing materials (ASTM D5528). Results showed that the inclusion of nanoclays improved the interlaminar fracture toughness of the GFRP composite in the range of 12.65% and 54.07% relative to the pristine, with a progressive increment of the nanoclays weight by percentage content (from 0.5 to 2%). The research provides a better understanding of Cloisite filler's contribution in improvement of the delamination resistance and the outcome can guide to a design of better melt flow rate and good elongation at break of flame for structures, which is made up of composite materials.