The Effect of Nanoclay on Damaged Areas of Composite and Nanocomposite Laminates

Abstract

The influence of nanoclay on the impact damage resistance of glass fiber–epoxy composites has been investigated using high-velocity repeated ice impact tests. The incorporation of nanoclay into epoxy enhances the impact resistance of the composites. The impact of ice is a realistic scenario for composite structures such as aircraft fuselages, wing skins and fan blades and it is not a completely understood threat. Repeated ice impact events, such as the ones during a hailstorm, can cause significant damage. This work focuses on repeated ice impact experiments and damage in composite and nanocomposite materials. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the exfoliation and intercalation of the nanoclay in the studied epoxy resin system. The result shows that plates with a fiber orientation of [45°/45°]s in the composite produce the minimum delamination and that a small amount of nanoclay is enough to improve the mechanical properties of the nanoclay-polymer nanocomposites.