Comparison and identification of efficient nanoparticles to improve the impact resistance of glass/epoxy laminates: Experimental and numerical approaches

This research has studied the low-velocity impact (LVI) response of glass-epoxy composite laminates reinforced with different percentage of carbon nanotube (CNT) and nanoclay particles. The obtained results facilitate industrialists' decision-making on selection of high-performance and cost-effective nanoparticles. Through quasi-static indentation (QSI) tests, the optimal percentages of nanoclay, and CNT were identified, and the impact test was performed on them at wide range of energies. Three key indexes were presented to evaluate the composite resistance against impact loads. The results indicate that both types of nanoparticles have contributed to an improvement in impact resistance. Moreover, a finite element analysis was performed using Abaqus/Explicit package, in which the results were in good agreement with experimental values.