Characterization of Fracture Properties of Epoxy-Alumina Polymer Nanocomposite
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites (PNC) were prepared by in-situ polymerization technique. Rod shape alumina nanoparticles of two different sizes; i) having an average diameter in the range of 10 nm and length less than 50 nm and ii) having diameter in the range of 20-40 nm and length in the range of 200-400 nm; were selected as reinforcement material for epoxy matrix. PNCs having 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % weight fraction of alumina nanorods were prepared. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of the nanocomposites showed good dispersion of alumina nanoparticles in the epoxy. The quasi static plane strain fracture toughness of the PNCs was determined. Addition of both the types of alumina nanoparticles gives good improvement in the facture toughness of epoxy. An increment of 34% in fracture toughness was observed for composites having smaller size alumina nanorods at 1.5 wt.% over that of neat epoxy whereas fracture toughness was improved by 56 % for composites having alumina nanorods of higher aspect ratio at the same weight fraction. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images of the fracture surfaces were analyzed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the increase in the fracture toughness of the PNCs.
Source: Applied Mechanics and Materials
Institution: Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Epoxy Resin Curing Processes
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W1980232011