Effect of Hybridization on the Hardness Properties of Nanoclay/S-glass Fibre/Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

Authors

  • Uche Ibeneme

    Department of Polymer Technology, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria.
    Author

  • Bisike Egere

    Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
    Author
    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5573-3867

  • Ejiogu Ibe Kevin

    Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria.
    Author

  • Amoke Austin

    Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja.
    Author

  • Catherine Kigbo Oseshi

    Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
    Author

  • Philip Abubakar

    Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
    Author

  • Yusuf Lawal Omeiza

    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.
    Author

  • Sunday Adaogoshi Eya

    Nasarawa State University, Keffi
    Author

Keywords:

Nanotechnology, Nanocomposite, S-glassfibre, Epoxy, Nanoclay, Hybrid composite, Hardness and SEM

Abstract

: This study evaluates the effects of nanoclay and S-glass fibre loadings, both individually and in combination, on the hardness of epoxy composites. Three composite groups were fabricated: epoxy/S-glass fibre, epoxy/nanoclay, and epoxy/S-glass fibre/nanoclay hybrids. Hardness values ranged from 31 to 93 HRA for epoxy/S-glass fibre composites, 31 to 109.6 HRA for epoxy/nanoclay composites, and 31 to 121.8 HRA for hybrid composites. The hybrid system with 36 wt% S-glass fibre, 4 wt% nanoclay, and 60 wt% epoxy exhibited the highest hardness (121.8 HRA), representing a 78% increase over neat epoxy and 31% and 13% improvements compared to the best epoxy/S-glass fibre (93 HRA) and epoxy/nanoclay (109.6 HRA) composites, respectively. Rockwell hardness testing confirmed progressive improvement with increasing filler content, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed uniform filler dispersion at optimal loading and interfacial defects at higher concentrations. The results demonstrate that hybridization of S-glass fibre and nanoclay provides synergistic reinforcement, achieving superior hardness compared to single-filler composites. However, beyond the saturation point, excessive filler addition resulted in diminished hardness due to agglomeration and weak matrix–reinforcement interfaces.

 

Author Biographies

  • Bisike Egere, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

    Department of Chemical Engineering,

     

  • Ejiogu Ibe Kevin, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria.


    Directorate of Research and Development,

  • Amoke Austin, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja.


    Material Science Unit, 

     

  • Catherine Kigbo Oseshi, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.


    Department of Chemical Engineering, 

     

  • Philip Abubakar, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.


    Department of Civil Engineering, 

     

  • Yusuf Lawal Omeiza, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.


    Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, 

     

  • Sunday Adaogoshi Eya, Nasarawa State University, Keffi


    Department of Civil Engineering, 

     

Downloads

Published

2025-07-01

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025): Applied Sciences, Computing & Energy

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Effect of Hybridization on the Hardness Properties of Nanoclay/S-glass Fibre/Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites. (2025). Applied Sciences, Computing, and Energy, 3(1), 183-193. https://cemrj.com/index.php/volumes/article/view/95