Enhancing Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of flax fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano TiO2

Abstract

Abstract The present study seeks to examine the effect of matrix modification on the interlaminar properties of flax fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano Titanium dioxide (nano TiO 2 ) particle addition. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness is evaluated using (double cantilever beam) DCB and (end-notched flexure) ENF test specimens. Nano TiO 2 (50\u202fnm size) is mixed in the epoxy by mechanical stirring followed by sonication process at a loading rate of 0, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5\u202fwt%. Compression moulding is the fabrication procedure followed. The results indicate that nanoparticle addition improves the interlaminar fracture toughness values. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness values improved by 52% (for 0.4\u202fwt% TiO 2 ) and 73% (for 0.5\u202fwt% TiO 2 ) respectively. Structural properties are studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images are observed to evaluate the fibre matrix interface and failure mechanisms.