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.