@article { , title = {The effect of matrix and reinforcement material selection on the tensile properties of hybrid composites.}, abstract = {In order to develop advanced materials as lightweight structures three-phased composites were prepared using nano-fillers, nano-silica (nano-SiO2) and nano-clay and micro glass-spheres to reinforce two kinds of glass-fibre reinforced thermoplastic matrices, polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA6). These novel composites were examined for: 1) morphological property using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction; 2) the nature of surface fracture using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); and 3) the mechanical property using Instron 5500R universal testing machine. The results showed that for glass-fibre-PA6 composites, the addition of MMT and glass-spheres enhanced the stiffness, whereas the addition of nano-SiO2 increased the maximum elongation. In contrast the addition of the secondary filler had little effect on the mechanical properties of PP composites.}, doi = {10.9774/GLEAF.2350.2014.00005}, issn = {2053-2350}, issue = {1}, journal = {Journal of sustainable mobility}, note = {COMPLETED}, pages = {37-52}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Greenleaf Publishing}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1106}, volume = {1}, keyword = {Injection moulding, Nanocomposites, Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), Short-fibre composites}, year = {2014}, author = {Silva, Francesco and Sachse, Sophia and Zhu, Huijun and Pielichowski, Krzysztof and Leszczy?ska, Agnieszka and Njuguna, James} }