Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Alumina Nanoparticle-Loaded Hybrid Glass/Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

This research work investigates the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the alumina nanoparticles, glass fiber, and carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The first type composites were made by adding 1-5 wt % (in the interval of 1%) of alumina to the epoxy matrix, whereas the second and third categories of composites were made by adding 1-5 wt % short glass, carbon fibers to the matrix. A fourth type of composite has also been synthesized by incorporating both alumina particles (2 wt %) and fibers to the epoxy. Results showed that the longitudinal modulus has significantly improved because of the filler additions. Both tensile strength and modulus are further better for hybrid composites consisting both alumina particles and glass fibers or carbon fibers. (C) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.