Fracture behavior of silica nanoparticles reinforced rubber/epoxy composite. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poonpipat, Yanika; Leelachai, Kritsanachai; Pearson, Raymond A; Dittanet, Peerapan
• Other Names: Sombatsompop Narongrit guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of reinforced plastics and composites. Volume 36:Number 16(2017)
• Page Start: 1156
• Page End: 1167
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Epoxy resins -- hybrid nanocomposites -- silica nanoparticles -- carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile -- toughening mechanisms; Reinforced plastics -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; 620.1923
• DOI: 10.1177/0731684417709952
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-6844

Abstract

Hybrid composites consisting of soft rubber (carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile, CTBN) and silica nanoparticles with average particle size of 20 nm were studied for improving toughness of epoxy resins (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA). The hybrid carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile /silica nanoparticles epoxy systems exhibited improvements in the Young's modulus, and more importantly, fracture toughness (KIC ), which can be explained by synergistic impact from the inherent characteristics of each filler. In this study, the highest KIC was reached with addition of small amounts of silica nanoparticles (5 vol.%) to the epoxy containing 15 vol.% carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile, where the KIC was distinctly higher than with the epoxy containing carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile or silica nanoparticles alone. Cavitation of rubber particles with matrix dilation and particle debonding with subsequent void growth were determined as the toughening mechanisms responsible for the toughness improvements for epoxy. The evidence indicates that debonding of the silica nanoparticles causes a weakening of the matrix–particle interface. The toughness enhancement in hybrid nanocomposites involves an increase in silica nanoparticles particle debonding an increase in plastic zone size, which allows the epoxy matrix to dissipate more fracture energy.