Investigating vibration damping response of nanocomposites and fiber composites

The research aims to investigate the damping properties as well as the flexural stiffness of epoxy-based nanocomposites and fiber reinforced composites in conjunction with silica nanoparticles and rubber particles. Conventionally, adding rubber particles into polymeric resin would lead to the dramatic reduction of stiffness although the vibration damping could be improved accordingly. In order to enhance the damping properties of the fiber composites without sacrificing their stiffness, the silica nanoparticles together with the rubber particles were introduced into the epoxy matrix through the sonication process to form the epoxy-based nanocomposites. Subsequently, the epoxy nanocomposites were treated as matrix and impregnated into the fiber layer by means of vacuum hand lay-up process for the fabrication of the fiber composites. The vibration damping of the nanocomposites as well as the fiber composite were measured from the forced vibration technique together with the half power method, whereas, the flexural stiffness of the material systems was evaluated by the three point bending flexural tests. Results indicated that either silica nanoparticles or rubber particles can improve the damping responses of the epoxy-based nanocomposites. However, when the rubber particles were incorporated alone, the stiffness of the nanocomposites was dramatically reduced. By introducing the hybrid material systems, the substantial reduction of flexural stiffness was diminished and at the same time, the damping properties of nanocomposites and fiber composites were improved.