Mechanical properties of hybrid structural composites reinforced with nanosilica

Epoxy‐based hybrid structural composites reinforced with 14 nm spherical silica particles were investigated for mechanical properties as a function of nanosilica loading fractions. Composites were fabricated using continuous glass or carbon fiber of unidirectional architecture and nanosilica dispersed epoxy, through resin film infusion process. Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in resin matrix was ensured by an optimized ultrasound‐assisted process. Although resin viscosity marginally reduces in the presence of nanosilica enabling a better control in composite manufacturing process, glass transition temperature of epoxy remained unaffected at low weight fractions. Compressive strength of hybrid glass or carbon fiber/epoxy composites showed more than 30–35% increase with nanosilica at a concentration as low as 0.2 wt%. Tensile and compressive properties of hybrid composites in transverse direction to the reinforcement remained unaffected. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1216–1222, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers