Young S., Kumar A., Ludwick A., Aglan H.
Tuskegee University, US
Keywords: fracture resistance, microstructure, nanocomposites, pulsed laser degradation
Phenolic and epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated and exposed to pulsed laser. The nanoreinforcements were alumina nanofibers (ANF) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The loading of the nanoreinforcement was kept the same for both the epoxy and phenolic systems at 0.15% by weight. The microstructure, mechanical performance and fracture resistance of the composites systems were evaluated after exposure to pulsed laser at 532 nm wavelength. These properties were compared to the properties of pristine materials. It was shown that as the exposure time increased, the area and/or volume of the damage zone associated with pulse laser increased. Overall, the neat epoxy and ANF-filled epoxy composites showed no voids or cracks; the neat phenolic systems displayed cracking primarily in the center and the ANF-filled phenolic systems showed fewer cracks than the neat phenolic, but voids where revealed. In general, the MWCNT-filled epoxy systems exhibited cracks, deep craters and a relatively small number of voids, while the MWCNT-filled phenolic systems revealed more voids and microcracking within the laser exposed area. The mechanical behavior of the epoxy systems was similarly affected with the addition of nanoparticles, while the type of nano-reinforcement had more of an effect on the mechanical behavior of the phenolic based systems.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2010: Electronics, Devices, Fabrication, MEMS, Fluidics and Computational
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 107 - 110
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Advanced Materials for Engineering Applications
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3402-2