Effect of TiO₂ Nanoparticle Coating on the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fibers

Glass fibers are extensively employed as the reinforcing material in composites in a variety of fields such as renewable energy and aerospace. Bare E-glass fibers were coated with different concentrations of rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles to improve mechanical strength of fibers. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses were performed on the fibers to investigate the presence of nanoparticles over the surface of individual filaments. Tensile tests were performed on the coated and uncoated fibers by following standardized preparation and characterization techniques. Results show that nanoparticle-coated fibers are less likely to fail at a given strength compared to uncoated fibers. Moreover, the tensile strength of the fibers has increased between 7.31% and 11.71%, depending on the concentration of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the solutions.