Synthesis and Mechanical Properties Investigation of Nano TiO2/Glass/Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposite

Mechanical properties of epoxy and glass/epoxy filled with 0. 25، 0. 5 and 1 vol% of TiO2 nanoparticles have been studied using tensile and three-point bending tests. For the TiO2/epoxy nanocomposites، the results showed that the strength and stiffness were improved، though the strain at ultimate strength point and breaking strain decreased. Moreover، the hybrid nanocomposites composed of 4 layers of woven E-glass fabric and TiO2/epoxy matrix were fabricated and cut onaxis and 45° off-axis by water jet. The results of tensile and three-point bending tests indicated a remarkable improvement in the strength and stiffness that could not be related to the mechanical improvement of the matrix. The samples containing 1 vol% nano TiO2 were improved relative to samples without the nanoparticles. The tensile strength of the on-axis and off-axis samples containing 1 vol% TiO2 increased by about 25. 9% and 17. 9%، in the order given، compared to that of the glass/epoxy specimens. In three-point bending test، the strength of the on-axis and off-axis specimens was improved 26% and 23. 2%، respectively. In addition، the tensile stiffness of the onaxis and off-axis samples containing 1 vol% TiO2 increased، respectively، by about 14. 4% and 17. 5% compared to that of the glass/epoxy specimens. Also for the same on-axis and off-axis samples the three-point bending stiffness increased about 19. 8% and 14. 6%، respectively. The whole investigation on the microstructure of the hybrid nanocomposites illustrated that stronger interfaces between the fiber and TiO2/epoxy matrix were formed and improvement was noticed on mechanical properties of ternary composite compared to those of the fiber/epoxy composites. The analysis of damage zones of hybrid nanocomposites showed that the surface area of the damaged zone declined considerably due to the brittle behavior of TiO2-filled specimens but the area below the stress-strain curve، showing energy absorption during the test، increased.