THE EFFECT OF NANOSILICA CONCENTRATION ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF EPOXY MATRIX RESINS FOR PREPREG COMPOSITES

摘要

Epoxy nanocomposite matrix resins filled with spherical silica particles were investigated at nanosilica loading levels from 0 to 45 % by weight. The effect of silica concentration on neat resin properties was thoroughly evaluated. Important composite matrix resin mechanical properties including modulus and fracture toughness showed significant, monotonically increasing improvement with increasing nanosilica concentration. Desirable changes in coefficient of thermal expansion, cure exotherm, and hardness were also measured. Silica concentration levels did not adversely affect the cured glass transition temperature or prepreg processability. Properties of carbon fiber laminates made with unidirectional prepregs of varying silica loading levels revealed significant improvements in compression strength, in-plane shear modulus, and 0° flexure strain. The properties of the nanocomposite matrix system studied here have led to the commercialization of 3M? Matrix Resin 3831, in which silica nanoparticle technology enables unique and significant composite property improvements.