Assessing shear, tensile and fracture properties of macroporous nanocomposites using the Arcan test. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Ranting; Jones, Mitchell P.; Jiang, Qixiang; Hodgkinson, John M.; Menner, Angelika; Bismarck, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 107(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Emulsion templating -- Nanocomposites -- Arcan test -- Shear properties -- Fracture mechanics; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107490
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: Macroporous polymers and nanocomposites remain popular materials due to their low densities and unique interconnected pore structures. The determination of mechanical properties in relevant loading conditions, such as shear, remains largely underexplored due to the comparative complexity of such analysis compared to simple compression tests. We investigated the use of the Arcan test to induce uniform biaxial stress in such materials and provide insight into the effect of porosity and silica particle reinforcement on shear properties and fracture toughness of high/medium internal phase emulsion templated macroporous polymer nanocomposites, called polyHIPE/MIPEs. Increasing foam densities were associated with greatly improved tensile and shear properties. Improvements in shear strength and modulus were also noted in polyMIPEs reinforced with as little as 5 wt.% silica nanoparticles, although any increase in tensile properties was lacking. Fracture toughness was investigated using an assumed Poisson's ratio. Decreasing the porosity of macroporous polymers and increasing particle loading resulted in considerable improvements in fracture toughness. These results illustrated the potential of the Arcan test as a simple and effective method for investigating otherwise rarely reported loading conditions in macroporous polymers and nanocomposites. Highlights: Macroporous polymer characterisation is often limited to compressive properties. Other loading conditions, e.g., shear, are critical to understanding these materials. The Arcan test induces uniform biaxial stress within a standard universal test frame. Can be used to assess shear and fracture toughness of macroporous polymers. Initial results show benefit of particle reinforcement on shear/fracture properties.