Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of TiO2/SiO2 Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

Abstract

Composite is a material that consists of two or more combined constituents that are combined at a macroscopic level. One constituent is called the reinforcing phase and the other in which reinforcement is embedded is called the matrix phase. Composites are one of the most widely used materials because of their adaptability to different situations and the relative ease of combination with other materials to serve specific purposes and exhibit desirable properties. Introduction of small amount of nanoparticles to polymer significantly enhance their properties. Hence the nanocomposites are developed in the present work. Hand layup technique was used to prepare the nanocomposite with addition of TiO2 in 2 wt%, 4 wt%, 6 wt% and 8 wt% in epoxy. The best tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness was obtained at 8 wt% of TiO2. 86 % increase in hardness was obtained at 8 wt% of TiO2 as compared to epoxy nanocomposites. By fixing 8 wt% of TiO2 and adding SiO2 in compositions (2 wt%, 4 wt% and 6 wt%) the hybrid Nanocomposites were prepared, for which mechanical properties were obtained.