Investigation of impact behavior of epoxy reinforced with nanometer- and micrometer-sized silicon carbide particles

Abstract

The effects of particle size and silane treatment on the impact strength are experimentally evaluated for epoxy reinforced with nanometer- and micrometer-sized SiC particles. These nano and microcomposites are fabricated using two different sizes of SiC particles: 60–100 nm and 2–4 mm in diameter. The weight fraction of particles is fixed at 1.5% and the particles are dispersed using ultrasonication. For the purpose of investigating the effect of particle–matrix adhesion on the failure process, composites are fabricated using both as received and silane treated SiC particles and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane is used as an organofunctional coupling agent to control adhesion properties. Impact energy is measured using Frank IZod impact pendulum instrument. Additionally, fractured surfaces are observed under a scanning electron microscope to investigate particle bonding, particle dispersion, and toughening mechanism. Particle size along with dispersion and bonding are observed to affect the impact strength. It is observed that both the improved particle dispersion and bonding due to silane treatment lead to an increase in impact strength. With regards to particle size, the composites with nanometer-sized SiC particles are having greater impact strength compared to micrometer-sized particles.

Outlook on ecologically improved composites for aviation interior and secondary structures

“…The incorporation of additives within the resins will be analysed to enhance the performance of neat resins and subsequent composite manufacturing. With this purpose, application of carbon based additives such as graphene, graphene oxide [25] or CNT [26], as well as silicon carbide nanoparticles (nanotubes or nanowhiskers) could be highly efficient in terms of thermal conductivity enhancement [27][28][29], along with electric conductivity [30] and enhancement of mechanical properties [31,32]. Furthermore, specific coupling agents will be employed to enhance the compatibility with additives and fibres.…”

Experimental Investigation of CFRP Impact Toughness and Failure Modes

“…Further, a study measuring properties of weft knitted fabric [8] composites is also very promising as far as a 3D structure of reinforcement may provide higher interlaminar shear strength. A similar way to measure fracture or impact strength is using the Izod impact pendulum instrument [9,10], according to standard ASTM D256 [11]. Besides standardised methods, new and improved ways of determining fracture properties of composites are introduced using a striker and an instrumented incident bar impacting either beam [12] or plate [13] specimen or using computational simulations [14].…”

Re-Assembly of Archaeological Massive Limestones Using Epoxy Resin Modified with Nanomaterials—Part 1: Experimental

“…The properties of adhesives can be modified by adding several compounds; Conven-tional compounds sometimes modify some properties of the adhesives at expense of the other properties. Meanwhile the extent of improvements achieved by conventional compounds is limited in some cases [14]. Recently, introduction of nanotechnology has opened an opportunity for adhesive industry to develop a new generation of adhesives, and recent developments in fillers and reinforcements technology have made it possible to enhance the properties and applications of polymeric materials.…”