Laboratory study on the mechanical properties of vinyl ester matrix composite coatings reinforced by glass fiber, Nano TiO2 and Carbon Nanofibers

In this research, vinyl ester matrix composite coatings reinforced by E-glass fibers, Nano TiO2, and Carbon Nanofiber were prepared by hand lay-up method and their mechanical properties were investigated. The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites were investigated by the tensile, impact, hardness, shear test, and wear tests. Scanning electron microscopy was employed in order to study the fracture surface of the prepared samples. The results of the tensile test showed that the presence of the E-glass fibers in the vinyl ester matrix increases the strength about 4 times and the elongation about 8 times. There was no change in the fiber-reinforced composite strength by reinforcing the composite with nanoparticles of TiO2 and carbon Nanofiber, but the elongation of the fiber-reinforced composite increased by 1.6 times. Impact resistance of fiber-reinforced composite and fiber-reinforced nanocomposite relative to vinyl ester resin increased about 20 and 29 times. The presence of glass fiber and Nanoparticles in the vinyl ester matrix increases the hardness of the samples about 1.5 to 2 times. The results of the adhesion test demonstrated that the presence of nanoparticles in fiber-reinforced nanocomposite improves adhesion to concrete surfaces. Also, the results of the wear test showed that the presence of glass fiber in the matrix of vinyl ester reduces wear resistance and the presence of Nanoparticles in fiber-reinforced nanocomposite improves wear resistance of the fiber-reinforced composite.