Nano-Composites: Relationships Between Nano-Structure and Mechanical Properties: Phase II
Abstract
This work aims to understand and model the structure/property relationships of polymer nanocomposites, based upon thermosetting epoxy polymers that are widely used as adhesives and matrices for fibre-reinforced composites. The work concentrates on investigating the mechanical and fracture properties of multiphase materials (both bulk materials and reinforced fibre-composites), and on modelling the structure/property relationships of nanocomposites. The present work shows that a substantial increase in toughness may be achieved when nano- SiO2 particles are well dispersed in a hot-cured single-part epoxy polymer. Most importantly, the synergistic effect of having a multiphase structure based upon both nano-SiO2 particles and rubbery particles is clearly demonstrated. The use of nano-SiO2 particles and rubbery particles to give ?hybrid-toughened? epoxy polymers is shown to give a range of novel matrices which lead to an increased delamination toughness of the resulting carbon-fibre reinforced-plastic (CFRP) composites. Also, it is noteworthy, that the presence of even a relatively high concentration of the nano-SiO2 particles does not lead to a decrease in the modulus of the composite. Nor does it lead to a significant increase in the viscosity of the epoxy resin, which would preclude the use of low-cost manufacturing routes, such as a vacuum-assisted resin-transfer moulding (VARTM) process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA509394
Entities
People
- A. C. Taylor
- A. J. Kinloch
Organizations
- Imperial College London