the effect of nanoclay on damaged areas of composite and nanocomposite laminates

the influence of nanoclay on the impact damage resistance of glass fiber–epoxy composites has been investigated using high-velocity repeated ice impact tests. the incorporation of nanoclay into epoxy enhances the impact resistance of the composites. the impact of ice is a realistic scenario for composite structures such as aircraft fuselages, wing skins and fan blades and it is not a completely understood threat. repeated ice impact events, such as the ones during a hailstorm, can cause significant damage. this work focuses on repeated ice impact experiments and damage in composite and nanocomposite materials. x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the exfoliation and intercalation of the nanoclay in the studied epoxy resin system. the result shows that plates with a fiber orientation of [45°/45°]s in the composite produce the minimum delamination and that a small amount of nanoclay is enough to improve the mechanical properties of the nanoclay-polymer nanocomposites.