Epoxy‐Based Fibre Reinforced Nanocomposites

Abstract

The modification of epoxy resins with nanoparticles could endow the materials with some superior properties such as broadening of the glass transition temperatures, modest increases in the glassy modulus, low dielectric constant, and significant increases in key mechanical properties. In the last 15 years, some studies have shown the potential improvement in properties and performances of fibre reinforced polymer matrix materials in which nano and micro‐scale particles were incorporated. From the existing literature, considerable effort has been given to the synthesis and processing of these unique polymers, but relatively little work has focused on the fibre reinforced epoxy composites. The purpose of this work, therefore, is to review the available literature in epoxy‐fibre reinforced composites manufactured using carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibre and nanoclays for reinforcement.

Effect of block copolymer nano-reinforcements on the low velocity impact response of sandwich structures

“…One of the proposed solutions is the modification of the thermoset resins with nano-sized organic and inorganic particles. Carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon nanofibres and nanoclays were identified as potential nano-scale materials for the reinforcement of epoxy [19,20,[12][13][14]. Hosur et al [12] studied the improvement in low velocity impact response of sandwich plates due to the addition of nanoclays both in the facesheets as well as the polyurethane foam core.…”

Characterization of particle dispersion and volume fraction in alumina-filled epoxy nanocomposites using photo-stimulated luminescence spectroscopy

“…Although the photo-luminescent behavior of the chromium atoms is still governed by equation (4), the number of photons collected may be less than the actual number of photons emitted, due to absorbance and scattering that occurs within the material itself. Photons capable of being collected by a charged coupling device, exit the specimen in a direction parallel and opposite to the incident beam.…”

“…2,3 In addition, nanoparticles have a higher specific surface area than micron-sized particles, as more of these particles can be integrated within a specific volume, enabling an overall increase in the mechanical properties of the matrix. 1,4,5 Commonly embedded nanoparticles include aluminum oxide, [6][7][8] , calcium silicate 6 and titanium oxide. 6,9 With the improvement in mechanical properties, these nanocomposites have applications as ballistic materials with high-impact resistance.…”

Non-destructive characterization of structural hierarchy within aligned carbon nanotube assemblies

“…9,12 The control of CNT bundling and debundling is important for the dispersion of CNTs in solvents and matrix materials (e.g., polymers), and controlling interactions between CNTs and matrix materials is vital for creating CNT-polymer composite materials having high strength and attractive multifunctional properties. [13][14][15][16][17][18] Furthermore, the mechanical and electrical properties of CNT yarns 19,20 which could eventually surpass graphite fibers, are affected by the internal arrangement of the CNTs including the alignment, bundle size, and the possible presence of voids. 21 Therefore, in order to engineer the properties of CNT materials for these applications it is critical to understand and control the hierarchical morphology of CNTs within assemblies.…”

“…Although this process is well established, the CNT density per area is low, and therefore the bulk properties of CNT forests are far below those of individual CNTs. The density of a typical CNT forest is 10 11 -10 12 CNTs per square centimeter (assuming %10 nm diameter), whereas forest densities higher than 10 13 CNTs per square centimeter are needed to match the electrical conductivity of copper. 24 Therefore, two main approaches have been developed to increase the CNT density after growth.…”