Effect of Epoxy Modifiers (Al2O3/SiO2/TiO2) on Mechanical Performance of epoxy/glass Fiber Hybrid Composites

AbstractFiber reinforced polymer composite is an important material for structural application. The diversified application of FRP composite has taken centre of attraction for interdisciplinary research. However, improvements on mechanical properties of this class of materials are still under research for different applications. In this paper we have modified the epoxy matrix by Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2 micro particles in glass fiber/epoxy composite to improve the mechanical properties. The composites are fabricated by hand lay-up method. It is observed that mechanical properties like flexural strength, flexural modulus and ILSS are more in case of SiO2 modified epoxy composite compare to other micro modifiers. This may be because of smaller particle size of silica compare to others. Alumina modified epoxy composite increases the hardness and impact energy compare to other modifiers. Agglomeration of Al2O3 micro particles in the matrix is observed in SEM. This may be because of bigger particle size of Alumina. SEM analysis clearly indicates the mode of failure is the combination of crack in matrix, matrix/fiber debonding and fiber pull out for all types of composites