The effect of silica nanoparticles on machining and mechanical properties of phenolic resol/short glass fiber nanocomposite

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of SiO 2 nanoparticles on the mechanical properties and drilling performance of phenolic resol/short glass fiber (PF/GF) composites. Nanocomposites containing 0, 1, and 3 wt% SiO 2 were fabricated using compression molding under controlled conditions. The results show that the addition of nanoparticles significantly enhances composite performance. The sample with 3 wt% SiO 2 exhibited approximately 15% higher tensile strength compared to the neat composite. In addition, the delamination factor during drilling decreased noticeably, indicating improved machinability. SEM observations confirmed improved fiber–matrix adhesion and reduced interfacial defects due to nanoparticle incorporation. The findings demonstrate that nano-SiO 2 reinforcement can effectively improve both structural integrity and machining quality of PF/GF composites, making them more suitable for engineering applications requiring secondary machining operations.