Effects of Cloisite nanoparticles on interlaminar fracture toughness and resistance curve of S-glass fiber reinforced polymer composite

The effect of particular nanoclay, Cloisite 20B, addition on the interlaminar fracture toughness of a plain-woven type glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composite was experimentally investigated. The mode-I tests were conducted based on a double cantilever beam (DCB) test. Results showed that the inclusion of nanoclays improved the interlaminar fracture toughness of the GFRP composite in the range of 12.65% and 54.07% as compared with the pristine one, with a progressive increment of the nanoclays weight content (from 0.5 to 2%). A better understanding of Cloisite 20B filler's contribution to improving the delamination resistance can lead to a design of better melt flow rate and good elongation at break structural composites.