The effect of nanoclay particles on the incubation period in solid particle erosion of glass fibre/epoxy nanocomposites

During erosion tests of glass fibre/epoxy nanocomposites, an incubation period emerged because of the embedding of abrasive particles into the target material. In this study, the effect of this period on solid particle erosion behaviour was investigated for glass fibre/epoxy composites with the addition of nanoclay. The surface erosion characteristics of the composites were obtained by solid particle erosion tests using angular alumina particles with a size on the order of 400 μm as the erodent. The tests were conducted using impact velocities of ~23 or ~34 m/s and impingement angles of 30°, 60° or 90° as operating conditions. The eroded surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope to characterise the incubation mechanisms taking place in the nanocomposites. The glass fibre/epoxy composite without nanoclay (the pure test specimen) had the highest erosion resistance when compared to the composites with a nanoclay additive in ratios between 1% and 3% by weight. The findings of this study indicate that the agglomeration and weak compatibility of nanoclay, glass fibre and epoxy affected the results.