An experimental investigation on the effect of montmorillonite nanoclay on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V titanium-based carbon fiber/epoxy laminates

Abstract

A detailed experimental investigation was carried out to examine the effect of montmorillonite nanoclay reinforcement on the tensile, flexural, and impact behavior of Ti6Al4V titanium-based carbon fiber/epoxy laminates. The phenomena of crack bridging, agglomeration, enhanced adhesion between the titanium-composite layer, and mechanical locking due to the presence of nanoclay affected the mechanical and energy absorption ability of the nanoclay-reinforced Ti6Al4V titanium-based carbon fiber/epoxy laminates. A high nanoclay concentration bridged the crack growth, which eventually helped localize the delamination to the impacting location alone. The agglomeration phenomena lowered the energy absorption of both low and high-weight percentages of nanoclay. At a moderate weight percentage, the nanoclay enhanced the adhesion between the titanium-composite layer and triggered the mechanical locking, leading to high energy absorption. Rapid preformation accompanied by petal formation and localized tearing was observed in the high-velocity impact test. Percentage escalation in impact energy was firmly in tune with the amount of nanoclay reinforcement in the matrix. Highlights: Agglomeration leads to low energy absorption for low-weight percentages of nanoclay. FML with a moderated weight percentage of nanoclay absorbed much energy. A high percentage of nanoclay triggered crack bridging away from the impact zone. Mechanical locking and improvement in adhesion between titanium and the composite layer.