Fiber reinforcement of polymer hybrid sandwich composites using SNiPs: effect of silica nanoparticles on flexural and compressive strength

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength composite materials in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications has intensified research into polymer composites. To address the challenge of enhancing mechanical properties while maintaining weight efficiency, this study investigates the effect of silica nanoparticles (SNiPs) on the flexural and compressive strength of sandwich composites. These composites are constructed from fiber-reinforced carbon, para-aramid, glass, and polyurethane (PU) foam. Composite specimens with varying concentrations of SNiPs were produced using a hand layup process with synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer glass fibers (GFRP), carbon fibers (CFRP), para-aramid fibers (KFRP), urethane foam, and epoxy glue. Fabricated using a quasi-static stacking sequence technique, the composites feature a three-layer sandwich matrix(0^K₁ / 45°^C₁ / 45°^G₁/PU/ 45°^G₁ / 45°^C₁ /0 ^K₁). Flexural and compressive strength tests were conducted to assess their mechanical behavior. The results show that incorporating SNiPs into polymer hybrid sandwich composites significantly enhances both flexural and compressive strength. This improvement is attributed to the high aspect ratio and surface properties of SNiPs, which facilitate effective stress transfer between the reinforcing fibers and the polymer matrix. The flexural strengths achieved with 0, 2, 4, and 6 wt.% SNiPs were measured as 52.583, 58.713, 64.108, and 61.397 MPa, respectively. Similarly, the compressive strengths were measured as 2.207, 2.813, 3.528, and 3.182 MPa for the respective weight percentages.

HIGHLIGHTS

This study examines the use of silica nanoparticles (SNiPs) for fiber reinforcement in polymer hybrid sandwich composites, aiming to enhance their mechanical properties.

• It has been discovered that SNiPs improve the composites’ compressive and flexural strengths.

• Including SNiPs enhances the composites’ resistance to bending forces, thereby increasing their flexural strength.

• Additionally, SNiPs increase the composites’ resistance to compressive stresses, enhancing their compressive strength.

• The improved mechanical properties result from the unique characteristics of SNiPs, such as their high aspect ratio and effective interfacial interactions.

• The results indicate that SNiPs can be used as additives in creating cutting-edge, lightweight, and strong structural materials.

• The concentration of SNiPs should be optimized, and their effects on the composites’ other mechanical and physical characteristics should be investigated.

• It is important to examine the durability and long-term performance of SNiPs-reinforced composites in diverse environmental settings.

• This research enhances our understanding of SNiPs as reinforcing materials in polymer composites and provides valuable insights for the future development and application of these materials.

Keywords:

• Sandwich composites
• silica nanoparticles
• quasi-static stacking sequence technique
• polyurethane foam
• fiber reinforced polymer fibres

Acknowledgement

The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Prof. Vasudevan, A., Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, for his invaluable opinions, ideas, and expertise in completing this research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).