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Fiber‐reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) are utilized for myriad applications owing to their exceptional characteristics like high specific strength and stiffness. However, the low‐to‐moderate impact strength of these materials is a major constraint restricting their usage in fields requiring high‐impact performance. To ensure the reliable performance of FRPCs throughout the intended life span, a combination of good static mechanical properties and high impact resistance is crucial. Recent advancements in this field have yielded a breakthrough by developing novel materials that overcome this limitation. This groundbreaking achievement was realized by processing epoxy‐based GFRPs containing a synergistic blend of surface‐modified nano‐clay and compatibilized polymeric fiber micro‐reinforcement. This review provides an overview of advancements in the development of FRPCs, starting from the single‐filler to multi‐scale filler‐reinforced materials. The review elaborates on the effect of reinforcement of various thermoplastic fibers (polyethylene, para‐aramid, and spandex) on the mechanical performance of FRPCs. The necessity of filler compatibilization to enhance interfacial bonding constituents is also discussed. It can be concluded that the choice of surface treatment for a given thermoplastic fiber is governed by its chemical composition, the functional groups to be added on its surface through a specific compatibilization treatment, and the chemical nature of other constituents of the composite system with which the treated fiber surface interacts. Further, the greater the elasticity and ductility of the reinforced thermoplastic fiber, the higher the impact strength of the resulting epoxy‐based GFRPs. Finally, the review brings forth the potential opportunities for future research in this area. Highlights: Discussed recent advancements in epoxy‐based GFRPs with multi‐scale filler reinforcement.Multi‐scale filler‐reinforced epoxy‐based GFRPs have myriad applications in aviation, automobile, marine, sports, etc.Nano‐/micro‐fillers in their pristine state degrade the mechanical performance of epoxy‐based GFRPs.Filler compatibilization is essential for achieving superior mechanical performance in epoxy‐based GFRPs.Reinforcing compatibilized soft/ductile thermoplastic fibers resulted in a notable increase in impact strength while maintaining tensile properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of montmorillonite (MMT) nano‐clay as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester resin (UP) matrix composite was investigated under compression loading to explore the impact of MMT nano‐clay wt% in the compressive behavior of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite. UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were prepared with a varied filler content of 0.5 to 3 wt% using dual‐mixing methods, which are mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation. Static uniaxial compression tests were conducted using cylindrical‐shaped samples to obtain the compressive behavior of the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites. The results of experimentation record a considerable improvement in compressive characteristics of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites compared to pure UP matrix. The UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples were viewed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) to know the dispersion of MMT nano‐clay in the composites. The nano‐platelets were well dispersed and intercalated in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite samples below 1 wt% MMT nano‐clay loading. The optimum wt% of MMT nano‐clay in the UP‐MMT nano‐clay composite for improved compressive stress at yield and modulus were noted as 0.60 and 0.61 wt% respectively. Moreover, a mathematical model using Halpin–Tsai‐Jumahat equations was utilized to predict the compressive properties of UP‐MMT nano‐clay composites, which are in closer agreement with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) composite sponge with preferable properties was fabricated via water solution mixing and casting technique with a fixed PVA ratio and the various contents of nano‐fillers. The morphology and physical properties of all the samples have been studied and characterized extensively. The results showed that HNTs were uniformly aligned along in the PVA matrix depending on good interfacial interactions between HNTs and PVA matrix. The addition of HNTs decreased the pore sizes and porosity of the sponges. Mechanical tests indicated that the incorporation of HNTs contribute to the reinforcement in mechanical properties of composite sponges under both dry and moist conditions. In addition, the composites showed better performances in thermal stability and water absorption capacity than pure PVA sponges. Rhodamine B and ibuprofen were employed to evaluate the control release ability. The results illustrated that increasing HNT contents can enhance the sustained release ability of PVA sponges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research article reports, the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) and TPV nanocomposites (TPVNs) based on EPDM and polypropylene (PP). New generation ultra‐high molecular weight EPDM (UHMW‐EPDM) and PP with nano‐fillers (nano‐clay and nano‐silica) and has been studied and characterized extensively typically for automotive applications. This special type of UHM‐EPDM‐based TPVs exhibit superior physico‐mechanical properties over conventional EPDM‐based TPVs and in the presence of nano‐fillers, they show even better physical properties. The TPVNs were prepared with a fixed EPDM: PP ratio and the nano fillers were varied at different concentrations. The influence of nano‐fillers, especially hectorite nano‐clay and nano‐silica has been first explored through physico‐mechanical properties. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus at various strain are improved for nano‐filler filled TPVNs. We have observed that due to the incorporation of nano‐fillers into the TPV matrix, swelling has been decreased. From morphology (AFM, SEM) study, it is observed that the fillers are well dispersed in the TPV matrix and nano‐silica fillers are well dispersed than nano‐clay (hectorite). Furthermore, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) studies have also been pursued to get a better insight into the TPV system. These newly developed TPVs can be used as potential candidates for application in the automotive sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present contribution, the tensile, flexural, vibration and damping properties of intraply aramid/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite with the effect of clay nanoparticles inclusion have been investigated. Seven clay nanoparticles contents of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt% were used to produce the composite laminates. The samples were produced and experimented in accordance with ASTM standards. The standards ASTM D 638, ASTM D 790, and ASTM E756 were used for tensile, flexural, and vibration tests, respectively. Vibration characteristics were calculated using experimental modal analysis. Half power band‐width method was applied to evaluate damping responses of first natural frequency modes of the composite samples. The results indicated that the high improvement of tensile and flexural strength was obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 1 and 2 wt% with increment of 13.1% and 28.2%, respectively. The highest values of natural frequency, storage modulus, lost modulus were obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 10, 1, and 2 wt% with increments of 23.4%, 20.7%, and 11.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]