Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites via Alignment of Magnetized SiC Whiskers

Abstract

This research is focused on the fabrication and properties of epoxy nanocomposites containing magnetized SiC whiskers (MSiCWs). To this end, we report an original strategy for fabrication of magnetically active SiCWs by decorating the whiskers with magnetic (iron oxide) nanoparticles via polymer-polymer (poly(acrylic acid)/poly(2-vinyl pyridine)) complexation. The obtained whiskers demonstrated a substantial magnetic response in the polymerizing epoxy resin, with application of only a 20 mT (200 G) magnetic field. We also found that the whiskers chemically reacted with the epoxy resin, causing formation of an extended interphase near the boundary of the whiskers. The SiC whiskers oriented with the magnetic field demonstrated positive effects on the behavior of epoxy-based nanocomposites. Namely, the aligned MSiCWs enhanced the thermomechanical properties of the materials significantly above that of the neat epoxy and epoxy nanocomposite, with randomly oriented whiskers.

Translation of segment scale stiffening into macroscale reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites

“…c and d)). And the similar shift of the tan δ peak was observed for epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with magnetically decorated and aligned SiC nanowhiskers .…”

Dielectric strength and mechanical properties of epoxy resin filled with self-propagating high-temperature synthesized Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles

“…Therefore, the surface modification of Al 2 O 3 /SiC nanoparticles could be performed in future works. Finally, the effect of the addition of Al 2 O 3 /SiC nanoparticles on the percolation of filler structure, rheological properties, 12,51 and the curing kinetics of the fabricated epoxy-based composite 19,20 should be considered.…”

“…17,18 Likewise, due to high mechanical strength, chemical, and thermal stability, SiC nanoparticles can be excellent candidates as nanofillers. [19][20][21] For example, Al 2 O 3 /SiC nanowires have been utilized as nanofiller in polyvinyl alcohol by Vivekchand et al 22 and the improvement of mechanical properties has been displayed.…”

Hydrophobic esterification of cellulose nanocrystals for epoxy reinforcement

“…The incorporation of nanofillers as a second microphase modifier could be beneficial in this respect. Previous researches have investigated the use of inorganic nanofillers such as metal oxides [5], nanoclays [6], modified clays [7], carbon nanotubes [8], silicon carbide [9], and graphene [3] in epoxies with various degrees of success.…”