View in EDS

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

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Fiber reinforcement of polymer hybrid sandwich composites using SNiPs: effect of silica nanoparticles on flexural and compressive strength.
Authors: Mani, Megavannan, Murugaiyan, Thiyagu, Kumar Krishnan, Pradeep
Source: Journal of the Textile Institute; Aug2025, Vol. 116 Issue 8, p1503-1511, 9p
Subject Terms: SILICA nanoparticles, FLEXURAL strength, MECHANICAL behavior of materials, FIBROUS composites, LIGHTWEIGHT materials, COMPRESSIVE strength, POLYMERIC composites, STRUCTURAL design
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(0K1 / 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of the Textile Institute is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Description
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<sup>K</sup><subscript>1</subscript> / 45°<sup>C</sup><subscript>1</subscript> / 45°<sup>G</sup><subscript>1</subscript>/PU/ 45°<sup>G</sup><subscript>1</subscript> / 45°<sup>C</sup><subscript>1</subscript> /0 <sup>K</sup><subscript>1</subscript>). 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00405000
DOI:10.1080/00405000.2024.2384103