Shape-memory Hybrid Epoxy/Nanoplatelets (GNP)/Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) fiber Nanocomposites of High Impact Resistance

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have been widely reported in literature form fundamental to applied research due to their emerging applications as novel materials. As reported frequently, a majority of research involves fabrication and development of thermoplastic SMPs and reports key properties associated with SMPs including fixation and recovery ratio as well as transitional temperature of such materials. However, few studies exist on the evaluation of thermosetting composites reinforced with nanomaterials with the incorporation of thermoplastic fibers which introduce secondary enhancing properties which favors overall shape-memory performance and toughness properties of the composites. This research reports novel epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with hybrid combination of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) fiber as the thermoplastic phase fabricated through rotary jet spinning and ۰, ۱ and ۴ wt% of graphite nano-platelets (GNPs) as the nanofiller exhibiting shape-memory effects. The shape-memory response was assessed on the blocked force measurement. The results confirmed the positive synergistic effect of GNP/EVA fiber on the shape-memory recovery resulting from the density of switching net points at the ۱wt% and impact resistance compared to neat epoxy parts. The results further suggested the addition of GNP to the reference EVA/epoxy leads to a decrease in the flexural load conforming the presence of agglomerated GNP and softer interphase region due to the altered cross-link density.

Keywords:

Shape-memory polymer (SMP) , Nanocomposite , Blocked force , Transitional temperature , Thermoplastic fiber.