LAUSR

Abstract The present study seeks to examine the effect of matrix modification on the interlaminar properties of flax fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano Titanium dioxide (nano TiO 2 ) particle addition. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness is evaluated using (double cantilever beam) DCB and (end-notched flexure) ENF test specimens. Nano TiO 2 (50 nm size) is mixed in the epoxy by mechanical stirring followed by sonication process at a loading rate of 0, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 wt%. Compression moulding is the fabrication procedure followed. The results indicate that nanoparticle addition improves the interlaminar fracture toughness values. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness values improved by 52% (for 0.4 wt% TiO 2 ) and 73% (for 0.5 wt% TiO 2 ) respectively. Structural properties are studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images are observed to evaluate the fibre matrix interface and failure mechanisms.