Failure Analysis of Single Pin Hole in Polymer Composite Laminates with addition of different Nanofillers

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to investigate and compare the strength of single pin joints prepared from glass fiber composite laminates with three different nanoparticles i.e. nanoclay, nano-TiO2 and nano-CaCO3. The specimens were prepared using hand layup technique. Mechanical stirring was done with the help of homogenizer subjected to sonication. The specimens were tested for their tensile strength and the distance from the free edge of the specimen to the diameter of the first hole (E/D) ratio, width of the specimen to the diameter of the holes (W/D) ratio were varied. The various combinations of E/D and W/D with a full factorial design were used for the preparation of pin joints. The geometric parameters i.e. E/D and W/D were investigated to optimize them for different nanofiller materials. The net-tension mode of failure is directly related to width of the specimen. It lost its effect for higher values of W/D whereas on the other hand, shear-out mode of failure is directly related to distance of hole from edge of the specimen. It has its probability higher for less E/D ratio. Progressive damage was used for the numerical analysis of polymer nanocomposite laminates. It was found that the specimens with nanoclay, nano-TiO2 and nano-CaCO3 had bearing mode of failure at E/D=4, W/D=4; E/D=4, W/D=5 and E/D=5, W/D=5 respectively. There is a good agreement between the numerical and experimental results.