This study mainly focuses on the evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of vinyl ester composite incorporated with E-glass fiber and aluminium oxide nanowires. These glass fibers are coated with Nickel Phosphorus (Ni-P) via electroless plating method after many trials. The Ni-P coated glass fiber (GF) increases the mechanical properties of the composite when used as the reinforcement. The maximum level of 53% increase in the tensile strength occurs at 0.75 wt% concentration of aluminium oxide nanowires and 40% of Ni-P coated GF as reinforcement. The similar outcome occurs for the other mechanical and wear properties. The thermal analysis reveals that the thermal stability of the composite increases with the increase in the concentration of Al2O3 nanowires as fillers and Ni-P/GF as reinforcement. Scanning electron microscope and optical microscope images are used to analyze the surface morphology of Ni-P coated GF, fractured and worn out surfaces of the samples.

Keywords: hybrid composite; Al2O3 nanowire; electroless Ni-P; mechanical; wear; thermal property