Studying the mechanical properties of composites made of Kenaf‐Nylon 66 fabric, silica nanoparticles, and epoxy resin

In this study, the effect of the relationship between yarn material and yarn count tex on the mechanical behavior of plainly woven hybrid fabrics impregnated with silica nanoparticles and epoxy resin has been investigated. First, various types of bicomponent and single‐component fabrics with plain weaves are prepared using kenaf and nylon‐66 yarns with yarn tex count of 334 and 427. To prepare the composite, silica nanoparticles with a particle size of 200 nm are mechanically mixed into glycol polyethylene with a molecular weight of 200 along with ethanol in proportions of 6:1. The weight percent of silica particles in the suspension has been selected as 60%. Using a round edge indenter, the concentrated indentation force test has been performed based on the 6264D standard to determine the strength of each fabric sample. Then, by impregnating the mentioned fabrics with polymer materials (silica nanoparticles and epoxy resin) and performing the concentrated force tests again, it is found that the hybrid fabrics with a yarn tex count of 427 and impregnated with polymer material enjoy the highest shear thickening properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:674–683, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers