An experimental investigation of impact resistance of sandwich panels reinforced by nano-silica and nano-clay

Nano-reinforcers are identified as one of the ways of strengthening composites as an optimal and light alternative for common materials like metals. Adding nano-particles is done in different loadings so as to strengthen the resistance and stability. The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the simultaneous effect of nano- particles of silica and clay in the amount of resistance changes onto the impacts of sandwich panels in the low velocity impact test. The face sheets of the panels were made by glass fibers and resin epoxy with nanoparticles of silica and clay. The type of making process was manual layering. The ultra-sonic device was applied to perfectly distribute nano-particles through the face sheet matrix of the sandwich panels. The low velocity impact tests were done by the drop weight equipment. The low velocity impact test was done in two levels of energy including 15J and 30J. The damaged parts of the panels were inspected by SEM. The experimental results indicated that the amount of resistance to the impact of sandwich panels were changed and improved after using nano-particles. Thus, the amount of resistance to the impact holding cases of 3% of nano-silica and 1% of nano- clay was 13.65% higher than the case without nano and the case of 1% of nano- silica and 3% of nano- clay was actually 6.6% more than the case without nano.