An experimental study on low velocity impact characteristics of glass fiber reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, the low velocity impact behavior of glass fiber reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites with the addition of organic intercalated nanoclay and spheroidal powder of polyamide nanoparticles individually and together were investigated experimentally. The weight ratio of the additives was 2% of the epoxy resin-hardener system. Composite laminates were manufactured using prepreg and hot-pressing techniques. Impact tests were carried out at different energy levels from 10 J to 45 J up to complete perforation of the laminates. To evaluate the damage characteristics of the laminates, the results are interpreted in terms of load-time, load-displacement, energy-time, and observation of the physical damages introduced. Addition of nanoparticles increased the peak load (up to 22.6%) and damage resistance (up to 40%) of the GFRE laminates altering damage mechanisms of the composite material from out of plane to in-plane direction at higher impact energy levels.