Fiber Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites for Structural Engineering Applications

Abstract

Significantly enhanced specific mechanical properties of Glass Fabric Composite (GFC) by optimal dispersion of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticles in matrix-fabric system is reported. Dispersion of as low as 3 wt% of YSZ is found to be optimal for the developed processing condition. The enhancement is due to two-fold effects, one is the nano-cluster segregation by surfactant and the other one is an optimal interfacial stress/fracture modification in the matrix-fabric system via optimal length-scale effects of nano-composite with respect to the fabric interface. A detailed understanding is developed with the help of microscopic characterization and finite element simulation results. Specific modulus and strength increased by ∼18% and ∼17% (compressive), ∼14% and ∼17% (tensile) and ∼34% and ∼64% (flexural), respectively. The developed nanocomposite has potential applications in light-weight thermal management.