Effect of clay nanoparticles on the mechanical and vibration characteristics of intraply aramid/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite

In the present contribution, the tensile, flexural, vibration and damping properties of intraply aramid/carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite with the effect of clay nanoparticles inclusion have been investigated. Seven clay nanoparticles contents of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt% were used to produce the composite laminates. The samples were produced and experimented in accordance with ASTM standards. The standards ASTM D 638, ASTM D 790, and ASTM E756 were used for tensile, flexural, and vibration tests, respectively. Vibration characteristics were calculated using experimental modal analysis. Half power band-width method was applied to evaluate damping responses of first natural frequency modes of the composite samples. The results indicated that the high improvement of tensile and flexural strength was obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 1 and 2 wt% with increment of 13.1% and 28.2%, respectively. The highest values of natural frequency, storage modulus, lost modulus were obtained at clay nanoparticle contents of 10, 1, and 2 wt% with increments of 23.4%, 20.7%, and 11.6%, respectively.