Abstract
The influence of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles addition on the mechanical properties of fiber glass-reinforced aluminum laminate (GLARE) has been examined. GLAREs containing various wt. % of nano-SiO2 were produced via hand lay-up process. Different mechanical tests such as tension, three-point bending, Iosipescu, short beam shear, single bearing, and Izod impact tests were run out. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) for the fabricated GLARE laminates were taken to evaluate the dispersion of silica nanoparticles in the epoxy. To follow the fracture mechanism of tested specimens, visual inspection and SEM were performed. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of SiO2 nanoparticles were reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of nano-SiO2 and GLARE filled with nano-SiO2 were presented and discussed. Results manifested that the integration of nano-SiO2 improves the studied mechanical properties of GLARE. The inclusion of 1 wt. % of nano-SiO2 to GLARE leads to the maximum improvement in the tensile, flexural, bearing, and impact properties compared with pristine GLARE, whereas the maximum improvement in the shear properties was at 2 wt. % of nano-SiO2.