Study on Synthesis of Nanopolymer Composite with Electroless Coated Reinforcement

Abstract

In this paper synthesis and characterization of a new hybrid polymer composites reinforced with electroless nickel coated glass fiber with the addition of 0.5 % of nano iron oxide as filler is reported. Nano Iron oxide is introduced into the matrix as fillers at the minimum concentration and its influence on the mechanical and wear behavior are studied. The nano additive added to play a major role in strengthening the composite. To further enhance the strength and wear resistance, polyvinyl ester matrices reinforced with electroless Ni-P coated glass fiber reinforcement is synthesized. The glass fiber reinforcement is coated for the first time into electroless Ni-P successfully after carrying out many trials. The surface morphology is examined by means of SEM. The experimental result shows that after coating the reinforcement with electroless Ni-P, the ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, impact strength and wear resistance is improved by 17.90%, 9%, 12.98%, 33% and 4.58% respectively. After adding nano iron oxide as filler material at 0.5 weight percentage concentration of Ni-P coated glass fiber reinforced PMC, the properties such as ultimate tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, impact strength and wear resistance is improved by 43.54%, 23.9%, 23.93%, 34% and 19.25% respectively.