Fuzzy Modeling the Influence of Fiber and Nano Particles Weight Fraction on Flexural Properties of Hybrid Epoxy/Glass Fiber/Clay Nanocomposites

In this research, a fuzzy logic was used in order to determine the flexural properties of epoxy resin reinforced with woven fiberglass as well as nanoclay conceived as a lightweight material for marine applications. In polymer matrix composites, the mechanical properties such as flexural modulus change with various factors such as fiber weight fraction. In this study, experimental program was conducted to determine the flexural modulus of hybrid epoxy/fiberglass/clay nanocomposites. Fromthe tests, the effect of different three fiber weight fractions (30, 40 and 50%) and three nano particle weight fraction (1, 3, 5%) on flexural behavior of nanocomposites was studied. Then, with the fuzzylogic model prepared in MATLAB and using different membership functions and various linguistic variables, flexural values for nanocomposites were predicted. Three memberships function low,medium, and high for both the fiber and nano particles weight fraction were used to demonstrate the different ranges of input fuzzy variable. Three membership functions based on Mamdani-type FISwere ranging from soft, medium, and stiff to demonstrate the flexural modulus of the nanocomposites. Results of the developed fuzzy logic model were in good agreement with the experimental results