Effects of Nano-Silica Addition on Water Absorption of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composite

Nanocomposite samples containing epoxy resin, glass fiber and 0~2 wt.% SiO2 nanopowder are prepared. The effects of SiO2 addition on the water absorption rate, glass transition temperature (Tg) and dynamic mechanical properties of the various samples are then observed. The water absorption of the nanocomposite specimens is then compared with that of pure glass fiber/epoxy composite specimens when tested in water. The results show that the addition of 2 wt.% SiO2 reduces the water absorption from 0.0704% to 0.0573%. The storage modulus with adding 2wt.% silica nanocomposite compared to the neat composite raises up 13.82%. Following the water absorption test, the mechanical properties of the samples are not obvious change. Therefore, the experimental results indicate that 2wt.% SiO2 addition is beneficial to the water resistance and dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy resin / glass fiber nanocomposites.