Influence of 2–10 wt% of SMA Nitinol Reinforcement on the Mechanical Properties of Glass–Epoxy Composites Manufactured Through the VARTM Process

Kevlar–epoxy composites have many applications in the aerospace and automobile industry because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and high elastic properties. But, the raw material cost, manufacturing cost, production time, and complexity of the manufacturing process greatly affect the aviation industry. Many aviation industries are in search of low-cost materials which can perform like Kevlar–epoxy composites. In this research, shape memory alloy (SMA nitinol) wire-reinforced (2–10 wt%) glass–epoxy composites are fabricated using vacuum-assisted resin transfer moulding (VARTM). The VARTM process is extensively used for manufacturing large composite structures with uniform resin flow. During the manufacturing process, a highly permeable distribution medium is incorporated into the preform as a surface layer; then, glass fibres are arranged. During infusion, the resin flows preferentially across the surface, simultaneously through the preform, to a complex flow front. The tensile, compressive, flexural, and hardness behaviour of the VARTM fabricated SMA-glass–epoxy composite is tested, and the results are presented in comparison with glass–epoxy and Kevlar–epoxy composites. 10 wt% SMA nitinol wire-reinforced glass–epoxy composite showed 73% and 24% improvement in tensile strength than glass–epoxy and Kevlar–epoxy composite, respectively. Furthermore, the material showed 21% enhanced compressive strength than Kevlar–epoxy composite. 2 wt% SMA nitinol wire-reinforced glass–epoxy composite showed good flexural strength and hardness, and a further increase in wt% reduces the strength due to the matrix-fibre delamination. Moreover, this problem can be rectified by reinforcing the fibre at a moderate temperature. However, shape memory alloy (SMA nitinol) wire-reinforced glass–epoxy composites can be used for replacing Kevlar–epoxy composites in aerospace industries for their superior tensile and compressive properties.