A Review on Nanocomposites. Part 1: Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Micromachining of nanocomposites is deemed to be a complicated process due to the anisotropic, heterogeneous structure, and advanced mechanical properties of these materials associated with the size effects in micromachining. It leads to poorer machinability in terms of high cutting force, low surface quality, and high rate of tool wear. In part 1 of this two-part review paper, a comprehensive review on mechanical properties of various nanocomposites will be presented while the second part of the paper will focus on the micro-machinability of these nanocomposite materials.

Micro-end-milling of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy nanocomposites manufactured using three roll mill technique

“…Some similar findings could be found in [31,32]. The improvements of tensile strength and modulus combined with the decrease of strain failure could be used to explain the effects of filler content on the machinability of these nanocomposites (i.e., cutting force, surface roughness, chip formation) [19]. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of these nanocomposites should also be considered since it could also influence the micromachining process in particular when thermal softening phenomenon was dominant (at high cutting speed).…”

“…It is possibly due to the higher cost of CNTs compared to CF that prevented these nano-fibres from being applied in large structures [18]. Furthermore, the literature review from [19] showed that the primary barrier that limited the applications of CNT based nanocomposites was the synthesis optimisation. Uniform CNT distribution and CNT agglomeration have been still the main problems that reduce their reinforcing effectiveness of this nano-filler in polymer nanocomposites.…”

“…Micromachining of epoxy/CNT nanocomposites showed high potential to be applied in manufacturing of micro-components due to the miniaturisation demands of modern manufacturing [19,20] such as micro-electronics [21], micro-mechanical devices [22]. Although many near-netshape methods such as micro-moulding, lithography have been employed to manufacture CNT reinforced polymer nanocomposites, mechanical micromachining techniques (i.e.…”

Tough and self-healing hydrogels based on transient crosslinking by nanoparticles

“…The addition of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix could significantly enhance the mechanical properties. 1–11 Long et al proposed that polymer chains can form binding layers around nanoparticles, which are like carbon-reinforced rubber. 12,13 An alternative explanation proposed by Goritz and Sternstein was that polymer chains can form a “bridge” between nanoparticles, allowing the formation of a percolation network in the system.…”

Interaction between carbon nanotubes with functional groups and epoxy resin and its effect on thermal properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites

“…Hence, the interphase nature is a crucial factor that affects the performance of CNTs/epoxy composites, which is directly decided by the surface property of CNTs. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Liu et al 11 investigated the interphase structure between graphene (GP) and the epoxy matrix. It indicated that both interphase thickness and density of GP/epoxy composites are higher than those of GP oxide/epoxy composites.…”