Characterization and dynamic mechanical analysis of woven roven glass fiber/cerium-zirconium oxide epoxy nanocomposite materials

Abstract

Fibre-reinforced composites have found wide applications in many structural and engineering products in recent decades. In the present study, we have prepared a hybrid epoxy nano composite reinforced with woven roving glass fibre and cerium (IV)-zirconium (IV) oxide nanoparticles. The hand-lay method was employed for sample preparation. This fibre and nanoparticle reinforced polymer composite was studied for its mechanical and viscoelastic behaviour. These properties were studied at nanoparticle contents of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%. Structural and morphological characterization was explored using x-ray Diffraction and Field emission scanning electron microscope. Mechanical strength analysis revealed increases in the tensile, flexural, and impact strength to the extent of 16.8%, 7.8%, and 13%, respectively. This increase is in accordance with the incorporation of nanoparticles. The storage modulus also improved with an increase in nano cerium(IV)-zirconium(IV) oxide content. These nano composites find applications in industries such as shipbuilding and aircraft panel manufacture under conditions such as elevated temperatures, corrosion, or heavy loads.