Investigation on effects of sic nanoparticles and nanowhiskers on mechanical properties of sic/epoxy nanocomposites

Employing polymer-based, thermoset composites in aircraft and automotive manufacturing has increased vastly in recent decades due to their priorities over traditional materials such as metals. Nanocomposites with enhanced properties have been recently introduced, these materials constitute a nano sized reinforcement phase. In this study, effects of SiC nano-reinforcement on epoxy resin has been investigated. Specimens with epoxy resin (Araldit Ly 564) and its hardener (Aradur 560) with different reinforcement Wt% of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 percent have been produced using ultrasonic processor. The specimens have been machined for experiments and their mechanical characteristics have been developed using tensile and three point bending tests. Results showed that the Wt% of 2 presents the best mechanical performance; moreover, nanowhiskers enhance the tensile properties more than nanoparticles which is mainly because of its aspect ratio. Reinforcement dispersion and morphological changes have been inspected by SEM images, material characterization where carried out using FTIR and XRD spectrum.

Keywords:

nanocomposite , silicon carbide , epoxy resin , nanoparticles , nanowhiskers , mechanicalproperties