Abstract
An experimental study on the fatigue performance of nanoparticle modified epoxy was conducted. Seven material systems were examined which were: neat epoxy (E), 6 and 12. weight percent (wt.%) silica nanoparticle modified epoxy (S6, S12), 6 and 12 wt.% rubber nanoparticle modified epoxy (R6, R12), 3. wt.% each of silica and rubber nanoparticle modified epoxy (S3R3) and 6. wt.% each of silica and rubber nanoparticle modified epoxy (S6R6). Effects of those nanoparticles on the fatigue threshold (Δ G th and Δ K th) and fatigue crack propagation rates (da/dN) were studied. It was found that, compared to neat epoxy (E), nanosilica (S6, S12) increased Δ G th (and Δ K th) but nanorubber (R6 and R12) did not. However, a synergistic effect was observed on the fatigue threshold when both silica and rubber nanoparticles were added into epoxy. All these nanoparticles, individually or conjointly, decreased da/dN with silica the most effective. Morphology of the fracture surface was examined to understand the role of nanoparticles on toughening mechanisms under cyclic loading, which depended on the applied Δ G levels.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1530-1538 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Composites Science and Technology |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Aug 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- A. Nano-particles
- A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
- B. Fatigue
- B. Fracture toughness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ceramics and Composites
- General Engineering