Improvement in mechanical properties of enamel via carbon nanotube addition

Abstract

Enameled metal equipment exploits the strength of metal materials and the corrosion resistance of enamel; therefore, it is widely used in the chemical industry. However, the mechanical properties of the enamel restrict its service life. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are one‐dimensional nanomaterials with high‐specific surface area, C–C bond structure, and SP2 hybrid orbital. Herein, the effect of the dosage of MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of enamel is studied by adding MWCNTs to improve the mechanical properties of the enamel. Microscopic observation showed that the toughening mechanism of MWCNTs was mainly manifested in fracture and pull out behaviors. According to three‐point bending test, when 0.4 wt% carbon nanotubes were added, the reinforcing effect of enamel layer reached the best state. These results provide reference for optimizing the formulation of enamel and extending the service life of enamel.

Improving the mechanical properties of enamel by nickel nanoparticle addition

“…Owing to their long-range disordered network structure of Si-O bonds, enamels have low strain tolerance, low fracture toughness, and high sensitivity to cracking, which limit their practical applications. To address this, the primary methods used to toughen brittle materials include phase transformation toughening, 7 whisker toughening, 8 carbon nanotube toughening, 9 and particle toughening. 10,11 In recent years, the corrosion, wear, and thermal shock resistances of enamels have been significantly improved by incorporating ceramic particles (e.g., SiO 2 , 12 Al 2 O 3 , 13 and Cr 2 O 3 14 ), rare earth oxides, 15 abrasives, [16][17][18] or metal powders.…”