Influence of nano-aluminum-hydroxide on tribological, mechanical and flammability properties of E-glass fabric/epoxy multi-layered laminates

Abstract

E-glass fabric/nano aluminum hydroxide (ATH)/epoxy composites were prepared by manual lay-up and compression molding. An image processing tool was used to quantify fineness of dispersion of nano-ATH particles in epoxy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to understand the interaction between nano-ATH and epoxy. Mechanical properties, sliding wear resistance and fire retardance of these composites improved upon addition of nano-ATH. The composite containing 0.125 wt% of nano-ATH exhibited optimum mechanical properties and low specific wear rate.