This research focuses on the development of multiscale reinforcement composites using nanoparticles to enhance properties such as tensile strength and flexural rigidity for applications in various industries. Key findings indicate that aluminum and silica nanoparticles significantly improve the mechanical properties of composites, with notable increases in tensile and bending strength. The study establishes a foundation for further exploration of nanoparticle-enhanced composites and their manufacturing processes.

1. By
SYED IMTIYAZ AHMED
(1604-10-765-012)
Under the guidance of
MOHD MINHAJUDDIN SAIF
Asst. Professor, MED
MJCET

2. ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
1. High performance composites are currently being used in the marine, automotive,
aerospace and defense industries. These industries demand materials with properties that
are similar or better than conventional metals at a fraction of the weight. The development
of nanoparticle reinforced composites are presently one of the most explored areas in
materials science and engineering. The exceptional properties of nanoparticles have made
them a focus of widespread research.
2. By combining nanoparticles with traditional reinforcement materials, multiscale composites
can be produced with superior properties to that of regular composites. This research
focuses on the development of multiscale reinforcement composites, through the use of
silica oxide and aluminum oxide, glass fibers and polyester resin.
3. Results from this research showed that the use of aluminum nano particles can increase the
tensile strength by up to 30.4 KN and silica nano particles has increased the tensile strength
up to 40.780KN when compared with neat composite without nano particles possessing
tensile strength of 27.14 KN and peak load in three point bending is 1358.20 N for
aluminum nano particulate composite and 1593.9878 N for silica nano particulated
composite when compared with composite without nanoparticles possessing peak load of
931.3813N .

3. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
COMPOSITE MATERIAL:
 Since the discovery of nonmaterial’s in early nineteen’s, tremendous progress in the synthesis
of nanocomposites has been reported looking for better physical and chemical properties
towards various applications. An increasing amount of research has resulted in many
nanocomposite polymers being applied in a larger extent to industrial, biomedical and
electronic consumer products.
 While taking advantage of the advanced processing techniques available from synthesis
through characterization to commercialization, this research project is aimed at identifying,
establishing, developing and characterizing a nano-enhanced composite to suit a variety of
applications. Also, through this research, a detailed understanding about the properties of
potential nanofillers, matrices, possible processing techniques and compositing methods were
established through in-depth study adopted with utmost care at every stage to identify an
optimal solution.
 While selecting and studying nanofillers for their properties towards the proposed research,
besides considering the application and the availability, more weight has been given to the
market demand and the commercial aspect of the end product in order to ensure that the
outcome of the research would certainly become a value added product. This also ensures the
easy processability and marketability of the final nano-enhance composite. Some of the
below stated nanofillers considered for this research are substantiated on the grounds of their
properties and the end applications. They are:
1. Aluminium oxide nanopowder
2. Silicon dioxide nanopowder

4. LITERATURE REVIEW
LITERATURE REVIEW
 Composite materials have extensive industrial applications. The tensile strength and flexural
rigidity of composites plays an important role in selecting the optimum materials to meet
specific design requirements in many applications.
 For example, requirements for modern composite structural materials for aerospace
applications often include high strength, light weight, easy fabrication, low cost, long
durability, and stability against radiation damage and chemical reactions. Moreover, for
certain applications involving the transport of heat, a tailorable thermal conductivity is
necessary.
 Epoxy/clay nanocomposites with different clay concentration were prepared using a novel
approach. The dependences of Young’s modulus and fracture toughness on clay
concentration were studied using tensile and 3-point bending methods. It was found that both
stiffness and toughness of the materials were improved through incorporation of SMC clay.
 A relationship has been established between low-velocity impacts and a series of micro-
cracking generated in the matrix during the impact event. These local sub-critical cracking
did not lead to failure, but produced a local stress redistribution and energy concentration at
the interply regions where the stiffness differences are critical.

5. METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
FABRICATION :
FABRICATION :
The following steps are used for the preparation of laminates.
1. Cloth cutting
2. Measuring resin
3. Weighing of nanoparticles
4. Mixing of nanoparticles with polyester resin
5. Adding catalyst and accelerator
6. Preparation of laminate by hand layer method
7. Specimen Cutting

6. Cloth cutting
Cloth cutting
Fig: Glass fiber cloth cut from the roll
A uni directional E-glass fibre was cut from the roll to a size 270 x 270 mm2 at 00.
Required numbers of pieces are cut of same size at same angle for preparing different
percent of aluminum and silica nanoparticles. Each laminate consist of four pieces of fibre
cloth and the weight of these fibre colth is 350grams.

7. Measuring resin
(a) Polyester Resin (b) Catalyst (c) Accelerator
Fig: Measuringof polyester resin (a), catalyst (b) and accelerator(c)
A general purpose polyester resin of 350grams was weight by using electronic
weighing machine to have 1:1 weight ratio between matrix and fibre Catalyst and
accelerator are measured as 2% of the total resin

8. Weighing of nanoparticles
Weighing of nanoparticles
Fig: Digital weighing machine
 Different weights of nano particles for both silica and aluminium oxide are
measured as 1%, 2%,3% &4% of total weight of polyester resin using digital
weighing machine

9. Mixing of nanoparticles and polyester resin
Fig: Mixing of nanoparticles with polyester resin by using mechanical stirrer
For each laminate different percent of nanoparticle was mixed separately
with polyester resin for example 1% of silica was stirred with 350grams of
polyester resin for 2hours by using mechanical stirrer.

10. Fig: Adding catalyst (a) and accelerator (b)
After stirring of nanoparticles with polyester resin, the measured amount of catalyst and
accelerator is being added in polyester resin

11. Preparation of mould by hand layer method
Fig: Preparation of laminates
In the first step the bottom plate of mould is taken and then the spaces are kept at the edges of the bottom mould plate. The
thickness of these spaces is 5mm and the function of these spaces is it will make the laminates with the same thickness 5mm.
Before the fabrication process moiller film which acts as a releasing agent. The moiller film is cut same as the size of the
mould and placed before the first layer of the laminate to prevent the sticking between the laminate and the mould. Now after
placing the moiller film in the mould a layer of mixture of dispersed nanoparticulated resin and catalyst and accelerator is
applied on the moiller film. The purpose of applying this mixture of dispersed nanoparticulated resin and catalyst and
accelerator on moiller film is that the nanoparticles will be present at the bottom surface of the laminate.

12. Fig: 3.7 Preparation of laminates
Then the first layer of E-glass fiber is placed on the resin applied moiller film and again a mixture
of dispersed nanoparticulated resin and catalyst and accelerator is applied, then second layer of E-
glass fibre is placed on the resin mixture applied E-glass fibre . This process is continued until
four layers of E-glass fiber are applied one upon the other with a layer of resin between each layer
of them. With this completion of layer forming the laminate thickness will become around 5mm.
At last a layer of resin is applied and moiller film is placed on the top and the top plate of the
mould is placed on the moiller film to close the mould which will also act as a weight on the
laminate. This mould with laminate is kept around 24 hours in a room temperature for curing.
Now the hybrid laminate of E-glass fibre with polyester resin and nanoparticle is prepared.

13. Specimen Cutting
Specimen Cutting
 Laminates which are ready after the 24 hours of curing are carefully removed from
mould and the moiller film which is attached at the bottom and top of the laminate
are peeled off. Now the laminates are grinded at the corners to smoothen the
irregularities. Now there is a need for testing of the laminates. Therefore the
laminates are cut into no of specimens of required dimensions according to the
tests to be performed. The dimensions with which the specimens were cut are
180x25x3 mm3
for tensile and 120x25x3 mm3
for flexural tests.
Fig: cutting the specimen from the laminates

14. TESTING
TESTING
 Following were the tests conducted on the samples obtained from the
nanoenriched polyester matrix and the laminates.
1. Tensile test as per ASTM Standards D638
2. Three point bending test as per ASTM Standards D790M
Tensile test as per ASTM Standards D638
Fig: Specimen Testing from UTM
To measure the tensile strength of a nano-enhanced polyster composite matrix, the samples were
stretched with a Universal testing machine. The test specimens after the subjection of test
conditions are taken to lab. The specimen is gripped in the jaws with 30mm on both side and
leaving gauge length of 120mm. Again using this machine, force on the sample was continued to
increase until it breaks in order to find the ultimate tensile stress. In all these cases, the strength is

15.  Three point bending test as per ASTM Standards D790M
During a three point bending test, the composite lay-up is subjected to in-plane
compressional stress. The three point bending test showed the effect of the nanofillers
in the polyester composite in comparison with the tensile strength tests. The summary
of the experimental results from the three point bending test carried out on the
polyester lay-up on E-glass fibre is as shown below.
Fig: Three point bending test on UTM

16. Graphs on tensile test of silica and
Graphs on tensile test of silica and
aluminium nanoparticle
aluminium nanoparticle
Fig: Tensile test of silica 1% load vs displacement

17. Fig: Tensile test of silica 2% load vs displacement

18. Fig: Tensile test of silica 3% load vs displacement

19. Fig: Tensile test of silica 4% load vs displacement

20. Fig: Tensile test of Aluminum 1% load vs displacement

21. Fig: Tensile test of Aluminum 2% load vs displacement

22. Fig: Tensile test of Aluminum 3% load vs displacement

23. Fig: Tensile test of Aluminum 4% load vs displacement

24. Fig: Tensile test of without nanoparticle load vs displacement

25. Comparsion of tensile load for difeerent
Comparsion of tensile load for difeerent
nanoparticulated composite
nanoparticulated composite
Grams Aluminum(KN) Silica(KN)
1 29.54 40.58
2 28.06 31.84
3 30.40 33.46
4 27.68 30.18
Composite without nano particles possessing tensile strength of 27.14 KN

26. S.No. Nanoparticles Ultimate tensile stress
(N/mm2)
1 1% 236
2 2% 224
3 3% 243
4 4% 221
5 - 217
Table: ultimate tensile stress for aluminium nanoparticle
S.No. Nanoparticles Ultimate tensile stress
(N/mm2
)
1 1% 326
2 2% 255
3 3% 267
4 4% 241
5 - 217
Table: ultimate tensile stress for silica nanoparticle

27. Graphs on bending test of silica and aluminium
Graphs on bending test of silica and aluminium
nanoparticle
nanoparticle
Fig: three point bending of silica 1% load vs deflection

28. Fig: three point bending of silica 2% load vs deflection

29. Fig: three point bending of silica 3% load vs deflection

30. Fig: three point bending of silica 4% load vs deflection

31. Fig: three point bending of aluminum 1% load vs deflection

32. Fig: three point bending of aluminum 2% load vs deflection

33. Fig: three point bending of aluminum 3% load vs deflection

34. Fig: three point bending of aluminum 4% load vs deflection

35. Fig: three point bending of without nanoparticle load vs deflection

36. Comparsion of three point bending load for
Comparsion of three point bending load for
difeerent nanoparticulated composite
difeerent nanoparticulated composite
Grams Aluminum(N) Silica(N)
1 1012.48 1593.98
2 1358.20 603.83
3 806.90 620.56
4 706.79 640.57
Composite without nanoparticles possessing peak load of 931.3813N

37. S.No. Nanoparticles Ultimate bending stress
(N/mm2)
1 1% 8.09
2 2% 10.85
3 3% 6.44
4 4% 5.64
5 - 7.44
Table: ultimate bending stress for aluminium nanoparticle
S.No. Nanoparticles Ultimate bending stress
(N/mm2
)
1 1% 12.73
2 2% 4.82
3 3% 4.96
4 4% 5.11
5 - 7.44
Table: ultimate bending stress for silica nanoparticle

38. Conclusions
Conclusions
The goal of this research was to develop multiscale reinforcement composites with significant
improvements in the properties, when compared to traditional composite materials. The following
statements are concluded from the work done:
 The use of aluminum oxide nanoparticle in GFRP has increased its tensile strength from
217 MPa to 242 MPa with 3% weight of the total weight of resin, which is 12% increase
in tensile strength.
 The use of silicon oxide nanoparticle in GFRP has increased its tensile strength from
217 MPa to 326 MPa with 1% weight of the total weight of resin, which is 50.2%
increase in tensile strength.
 The use of aluminum oxide nanoparticle in GFRP has increased its flexural bending
strength from 7.44 MPa to 10.85 MPa with 2% weight of the total weight of resin, which
is 45.86% increase in bending strength.
 The use of silicon oxide nanoparticle in GFRP has increased its flexural bending
strength from 7.44 MPa to 12.73 MPa with 1% weight of the total weight of resin, which
is 71.10% increase in bending strength.

39. Only two types of testing i.e., tensile and three point bending
was performed in this research, other various types of testing
(impact, inter laminar shear, compression, etc) can be
performed. Research needs to be done on a manufacturing
process that will allow for easy manufacturing of composites
with varying nanoparticles contents. Preparation of
laminated loaded with nanoparticles is an area of research
that can be investigated.
Scope for future work

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