The Simultaneous Effect of Silica Nanoparticles and Rubber Particles on the Toughness of Epoxy Polymer

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of both rubber and nanosilica on mechanical properties of epoxy. Compression and fracture toughness tests along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission optical microscopy (TOM) were done to evaluate the properties of the compounds. The results of compression tests indicate that addition of nanosilica increases compressive yield strength of the neat resin. Moreover, the results show that fracture toughness in hybrid compounds is a function of the second phase content and that the addition of rubbery phase has a significant influence on fracture behavior in these nanocomposites. The simultaneous presence of shear yielding and crack pinning micro-mechanisms is the dominant cause of this increase.

Keywords:

Epoxy , Nanosilica , Rubber , Compressive Behavior , Fracture Toughness