Influence of Nano Silica Particles on Quasistatic Mechanical and Low Velocity Impact Properties of Carbon-Glass-Sunn Hemp/Epoxy in Intra-Inter Ply Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Increasing fuel prices and emission norms have favored the automobile manufacturers to use lightweight materials. Landfill regulations imposed by many environmental governing agencies encourage the use of products which will decompose easily or which will require lesser energy for recycling. In this scenario, an attempt has been made in this work to develop natural fiber hybrid composites with natural and synthetic fibers to address the issue of harm to the environment and energy spent on recycling. In this work, the flexural, compression, interlaminar shear stress, and low-velocity impact properties of natural fiber hybrid composite reinforced with carbon + E-glass intra plies, unidirectional sunn hemp mat interplies, and nano silica particles are investigated for possible application in automobiles. It is found that the addition of nano silica particles enhances the flexural, compression, interlaminar shear strength, and low-velocity impact properties of the composite.