Fabrication, structure and properties of epoxy/metal nanocomposites

• Main Authors: Ma, Jun, Bao La, Ly Truc, Zaman, Izzuddin, Meng, Qingshi, Luong, Lee, Ogilvie, Denise, Kuan, Hsu-Chiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2011
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery; TA401-492 Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4576/1/AJ%202017%20%28196%29%20Fabrication%2C%20structure%20and%20properties%20of%20epoxymetal%20nanocomposites.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4576/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.201000409
• Institution: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Gd2O3 nanoparticles surface-modified with IPDI were compounded with epoxy. IPDI provided an anchor into the porous Gd2O3 surface and a bridge into the matrix, thus creating strong bonds between matrix and Gd2O3. 1.7 vol.-% Gd2O3 increased the Young’s modulus of epoxy by 16–19%; the surface-modified Gd2O3 nanoparticles improved the critical strain energy release rate by 64.3% as compared to 26.4% produced by the unmodified nanoparticles. The X-ray shielding efficiency of neat epoxy was enhanced by 300–360%, independent of the interface modification. Interface debonding consumes energy and leads to crack pinning and matrix shear banding; most fracture energy is consumed by matrix shear banding as shown by the large number of ridges on the fracture surface.