Effect of chemical solutions on the mechanical properties of nano-silica reinforced (glass/Kevlar) fabrics polyester hybrid composite materials.

Polymer matrix composite structures can be exposed to a variety of severe corrosive environments during their service, which lead to degrade their structure and deteriorate their properties. The both influence of the alkaline and acid solutions on the mechanical properties of the hybrid polymer composite materials are illustrated in this paper. Hardness, tensile properties and impact strength of the nano-silica particles reinforced (glass/Kevlar) fabrics polyester hybrid composite before and after immersing in (HCl) and (NaOH) solutions studied. Regardless of the solution, hardness, tensile and impact strength decrease with increasing the exposure time. On the other hand, the alkaline solution led to high decreasing in these properties than the acid solution. In addition, the hybrid composite showed remark enhanced in the mentioned properties than the glass fiber polyester alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]