FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF EPOXY/CLAY ANDEPOXY/SILICA NANOCOMPOSITES

摘要

The change of the fracture toughness and its dependence on the nanoparticles content and adhesionat the interface of epoxy matrix and nanoparticles are discussed. Several clay and silica particles, whosesurface treatments were different, were used in this investigation. To fabricate the nanocomposites, the nanoparticleswere sonicated in acetone for 1-2 hours using a solution technique. The bright field TEM micrographsshowed excellent dispersion of nanoparticles in epoxy matrix. Both intercalation and exfoliation of clay plateletswere observed dependent on clay modifications. The compact tension specimens were used for fracturetesting. Fracture toughness increased with increasing clay content. The values of fracture toughness and criticalenergy release rate varied due to different clay morphology in epoxy matrix.