Influence of TiO2 nanoparticle modification on the mechanical properties of basalt-reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

This research work aims to experimentally evaluate the influence of resin modification using Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties viz. flexural, tensile and Inter Laminar Shear Strength (ILSS) of basalt reinforced epoxy composites based on ASTM standards. The laminates were fabricated using a combination of hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques. Five different weight proportions of TiO2 nanoparticles were considered ranging from 1% to 5% with an increment of 1% by weight. To assess the quality of fabrication, void fractions were evaluated and were found to be in the range of 1.17% to 3.98%. The mechanical properties of TiO2 modified epoxy basalt composites were compared with composites without any TiO2 nanoparticles in it. The results indicated a significant improvement in the mechanical properties due to the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles. When compared to samples without TiO2, the highest mechanical properties were observed in samples having 4% TiO2 nanoparticles wherein an increase of around 60%, 40% and 70% was seen in flexural (526 MPa), tensile (420 MPa) and ILSS (30.6 MPa), respectively. A dip was observed in all the properties with further increase in nanoparticle content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to analyse the fractured surface for dispersion of the nanoparticles and the failure mechanisms. SEM micrographs confirmed uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles while the major failure mechanisms observed were brittle fracture and fiber-matrix debonding. Results suggest that such composites can be used as a material in engineering applications wherein the loading is light to moderate.