Silane Grafted Nanosilica and Aramid Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composite: DMA, Fatigue and Dynamic Loading Behaviour

In this present investigation silane grafted aramid fibre (kevlar) and nanosilica was reinforced into epoxy resin to improve the dynamic mechanical behaviours of steam turbine blade designed and tested. The primary aim of this research was to analyse the failure in aramid fibre-reinforced epoxy composite and prevention measures by incorporating the nanosilica particle. Both the nanosilica and aramid fibre was silane-treated to prevent shear failure under mechanical and thermal loading. The composites were prepared using hand layup method followed by post curing. The composites were subjected to various dynamic-mechanical characterizations and finite element analysis. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the composite made using silane treated nanosilica and aramid fibre holds higher glass transition temperature and storage modulus. Similarly, the tension-tension fatigue results showed improved life cycle for silane treated composites with higher laminar adhesion. The computational flow dynamics (CFD) results revealed less thermal stress and strain on silane-treated epoxy composite designation N-3. These dynamic loading failure resistance epoxy composites could be used in steam turbine blades, prime movers, automobile body parts and structural applications.