Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Si3N4-TiC Nanocomposites

1. IntroductionSilicon nitride is one of the promising structural ma-terials for high-temperature applications because of itshigh resistance to thermal shock, as well as high strength,high fracture toughness, and high resistance to chemicalattack[1~3]. However, wider application has been lim-ited mainly due to its inherent brittleness. Many effortshave been made to improve its properties by control-ling the microstructure or by fabricating various typesof composites[4~7].The silicon nitride wi…     

Influence of particle size and particle size distribution on toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified epoxies

The principal toughening mechanism of a substantially toughened, rubber-modified epoxy has again been shown to involve internal cavitation of the rubber particles and the subsequent formation of shear bands. Additional evidence supporting this sequence of events which provides a significant amount of toughness enhancement, is presented. However, in addition to this well-known mechanism, more subtle toughening mechanisms have been found in this work. Evidence for such mechanisms as crack deflection and particle bridging is shown under certain circumstances in rubber-modified epoxies. The occurrence of these toughening mechanisms appears to have a particle size dependence. Relatively large particles provide only a modest increase in fracture toughness by a particle bridging/crack deflection mechanism. In contrast, smaller particles provide a significant increase in toughness by cavitation-induced shear banding. A critical, minimum diameter for particles which act as bridging particles exists and this critical diameter appears to scale with the properties of the neat epoxy. Bimodal mixtures of epoxies containing small and large particles are also examined and no synergistic effects are observed.     

Embrittlement Mechanisms of Nylon 66/Organoclay Nanocomposites Prepared by Melt-Compounding Process

Nylon 66 nanocomposites with different smectite clay loadings were prepared by conventional melt compounding process. The fracture toughness decreases with increasing clay content, which is a direct result of reduced plastic zone size at the crack tip region. The fracture mechanisms were studied using double-notched four-point-bending (DN-4PB) technique. A constraining effect from nanoclay fillers on plastic deformation of matrix is revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Micron-sized and submicron voids could be observed around the clay platelets. The voids coalesce and form premature cracks that promote crack propagation, thus reducing toughness.     

Deformation and fracture of cast iron with an optimized microstructure

An optimized microstructure of cast iron has been developed. In situ studies with the use of scanning electron microscopy have been made of the microprocesses of deformation and fracture in tension. The surface microstructure and the corresponding fracture surface and matching fracture were observed. The optimized nodular graphite-martensite interface, in combination with the high yield strength martensite shell, has been found to delay the initiation and propagation of interfacial cracks. Subsequent propagation and the formation of cast iron cracks is hindered by the ferrite-plus-martensite matrix. During crack propagation, shear deformation, the fracture of ligaments between the crack tip and the microcracks ahead, crack deflection, and bridging take place. With the use of these observations, it is possible to explain why cast iron with this optimized microstructure has excellent strength and toughness.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC whisker reinforced ZrO2–6 mol.-%Y2O3 composites

Abstract

Microstructure, mechanical properties, fracture behaviour, and toughening mechanisms of hot pressed SiC whisker (SiC_w)

reinforced ZrO₂–6 mol.-%Y₂O₃ composites were investigated via transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical testing. The experimental results show that there is a continuous increase in the Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness of the composites with increasing SiC_w content, and an addition of 30 vol.-%SiC_w increases the fracture toughness from 3·42 MN m^?3/2 for the unreinforced matrix to 5·83 MN m^?3/2. The flexural strength is increased from 293 MN m^?2 for the unreinforced matrix to a maximum of 372 MN m^?2 by an addition of 10 vol.-%SiC_w, then it is significantly decreased by further increasing the SiC_w content. Observations via transmission electron microscopy show that no distinct second phase or intermediate layers form at the SiC_w/ZrO₂ interface. Diffusional separation of tetragonal phase from the cubic matrix occurred during cooling after hot pressing. Whisker bridging and crack deflection are the main toughening mechanisms, but whisker pull-out, crack branching, and refinement of the matrix particles also contribute to the improvement in the fracture toughness.

MST/1747     

Synchronous effects of multiscale reinforced and toughened CFRP composites by MWNTs-EP/PSF hybrid nanofibers with preferred orientation

MWNTs-EP/PSF (polysulfone) hybrid nanofibers with preferred orientation were directly electrospun onto carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs and interlaminar synchronously reinforced and toughened CFRP composites were successfully fabricated. With MWNTs-EP loading increasing, the oriented nanofibers were obtained accompanying with enhanced alignment of inner MWNTs-EP. Flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of composites were improved with increasing MWNTs-EP loadings, whereas fracture toughness attained maximum at 10 wt% MWNTs-EP loading and then decreased. Based on these results, multiscale schematic modeling and mechanism schematic of hybrid nanofibers reinforced and toughened composites were suggested. Due to the preferred orientation of nanofibers, MWNTs-EP was inclined to align vertically to carbon fiber direction along the in-plane of interface layer. The proposed network structures, containing four correlative phases of MWNTs-EP/PSF sphere/carbon fiber/epoxy matrix, contributed to simultaneous improvement of strength and toughness of composites, which was realized by crack pinning, crack deflection, crack bridging and effective load transfer.     

Nanoparticle-induced enhancement in fracture toughness of highly loaded epoxy composites over a wide temperature range

The fracture toughness of an epoxy molding compound (EMC) has been enhanced over a wide temperature range by the addition of a very low volume fraction of silica nanoparticles to the EMC filled with micro-silica particles, which induces macroscopic crack deflection and plastic deformation in front of the crack tip. To evaluate the fracture toughness (G _IC) of these materials, the single edge notched bending (SENB) test was performed for a wide range of temperatures (from ambient temperature to 230°C). The fracture toughness of the nano-silica filled EMCs was found to be improved in this temperature range by as much as a factor of two. Investigation of the fracture surfaces revealed that the micro-silica particles are covered with deformed matrix materials, which implies that the silica nanoparticles induced the crack to move into the interface between the micro-silica particles. Fractography results suggest that the silica nanoparticles act as surface modifiers of the micro-silica particles, which results in crack deflection and plastic deformation.     

Fracture toughness of zirconia nanoparticle-filled dental composites

The fracture toughness of dental composites containing zirconia nanoparticles dispersed in a bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate-based monomer blend (GTE) was studied for several yttria contents. Three-point bend test bars with and without a notch were tested at ambient temperature to determine elastic modulus, flexure strength, and fracture toughness. The ZrO₂ nanoparticles increased the fracture toughness of the nanocomposites compared to previous results for the matrix and Schott glass-filled nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed mostly tetragonal ZrO₂ in the nanocomposites before and after testing, in agreement with a theoretical analysis. The enhancement in fracture toughness in ZrO₂-filled nanocomposites was caused mainly by the higher values of particle toughness and interface toughness in GTE/ZrO₂ compared to those of GTE/Schott glass nanocomposites.     

Toughening of a brittle thermosetting polymer: Effects of reinforcement particle size and volume fraction

Micron- and nanometer-sized aluminum particles were used as reinforcements to enhance the fracture toughness of a highly-crosslinked, nominally brittle, thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin. Both particle size and particle volume fraction were systematically varied to investigate their effects on the fracture behavior and the fracture toughness. It was observed that, in general, the overall fracture toughness increased monotonically with the volume fraction of aluminum particles, for a given particle size, provided particle dispersion and deagglomeration was maintained. The fracture toughness of the composite was also strongly influenced by the size of the reinforcement particles. Smaller particles led to a greater increase in fracture toughness for a given particle volume fraction. Scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces was employed to establish crack front trapping as the primary extrinsic toughening mechanism. Finally, the effects of particle volume fraction and size on the tensile properties of the polyester-aluminum composite were also investigated. The measured elastic modulus was in accordance with the rule-of-mixtures. Meanwhile, the tensile strength was slightly reduced upon the inclusion of aluminum particles in the polyester matrix.     

Fracture surface roughness and toughness of Al2O3-platelet reinforced glass matrix composites

The correlation between fracture surface roughness and fracture toughness of alumina platelet reinforced borosilicate glass matrix composites was investigated. With increasing volume fraction of platelets both fracture toughness and fracture surface roughness increase. The fracture roughness parameter Ra was determined by the profilometric technique. A linear correlation was found between the fracture toughness and the Ra values of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy observation of fracture surfaces confirmed that surface roughness is related to a crack deflection process. Crack deflection is thus one of the toughening mechanisms acting in these composites.     

Damage performance of particles filled quasi-isotropic glass–fibre reinforced polyester resin composites

The purpose of this work was to determine the toughening mechanisms in interlayered quasi-isotropic glass–fibre reinforced polyester resin (GFRP) composites. Particles of polyethylene and aluminium tri-hydrate, Al(OH)3, were mixed with the polyester resin prior to laminating with woven E-glass-fibre cloth. Mode-I, mode-II, and impact tests were performed to determine critical strain energy-release rates (GIc and GIIc), absorbed energy and residual compressive strength for the laminates with and without particulate additions. Mode-I and mode-II delamination toughness were characterized using double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) specimens, respectively, and the delaminated surfaces of specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the interlaminar morphology after fracture. The results indicate that the interlaminar toughness (GIc and GIIc), absorbed energy and residual compressive strength values of the GFRP composite increases with increase of particle content. The improved behaviour of particle containing GFRP is linked to stress-concentration induced plastic deformation and crack bridging. Polyethylene particles increase the toughness of the matrix material, which results in composites with higher values of mode-I, mode-II and impact than the composites with aluminium tri-hydrate particles. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Combination of biological mechanisms for a concept study of a fracture-tolerant bio-inspired ceramic composite material

The biological materials nacre and wood are renowned for their impressive combination of toughness and strength. The key mechanisms of these highly complex structures are crack deflection at weak interfaces, crack bridging, functional gradients and reinforcing elements. These principles were applied to a more fracture-tolerant model material which combined porous stiff ceramic layers, manufactured by freeze casting, infiltrated and bonded by a polymer phase reinforced with fabric layers. In the hybrid composites, crack deflection occurred at the ceramic–fabric interface and the intact fabric layers served as crack-bridging elements. Fabric-reinforced epoxy layers stabilized the fracture behaviour and delayed catastrophic failure of the material. The influence of the different components was analysed by varying the ceramic, fabric and interface properties. More ductile fabrics lead to larger strain to failure and more crack bridging but reduced the composite strength and stiffness after initial cracking. Higher elastic mismatch between the components improved crack deflection and bridging but resulted in deterred load transfer and a lower strength. The stiffness and strength of the ceramic layers influenced the elastic properties of the laminar composite and the initial crack resistance. Flaw tolerance was increased with polymer infiltration. We show with our hybrid ceramic–fabric composite as a bio-inspired concept study how fracture toughness, work of fracture and tolerance for cracking can be tailored when the contributing factors, i.e. the ceramic, the fabric and their interface, are modified.     

The effect of carbon nanotubes microstructures on reinforcing properties of SWNTs/alumina composite

Alumina reinforced with 1 wt% single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was fabricated by hot-pressing. The fracture toughness of SWNTs/Al₂O₃ composite reaches 6.40 ± 0.3 MPa m^1/2, which is twice as high as that of unreinforced alumina. Nanoindentation introduced controlled cracks and the damage were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SWNTs reinforcing mechanisms including CNT pullout, CNT fracture, CNT bridging and crack deflection were directly observed, and the relationship between carbon nanotubes microstructures in the matrix and mechanical properties was also discussed in detailed.     

Conditions for matrix crack deflection at an interface in ceramic matrix composites

This paper describes a numerical approach developed to simulate the mechanism of matrix crack deflection at the fibre/matrix interface in brittle matrix composites. For this purpose, the fracture behaviour of a unit cell (microcomposite) consisting of a single fibre surrounded by a cylindrical tube of matrix was studied with the help of a finite element model. A fracture mechanics approach was used to design a criterion for deflection at the fibre/matrix interface of an annular crack present in the matrix. The analysis of the fracture behaviour of SiC/SiC and SiC/glass ceramics microcomposites shows that the introduction of a low modulus and low toughness interfacial layer at the fibre/matrix interface (e.g. a carbon coating) greatly favours matrix crack deflection at the interphase/fibre interface.     

Effect of processing parameters and clay volume fraction on the mechanical properties of epoxy-clay nanocomposites

The influence of processing parameters and particle volume fraction was experimentally studied for epoxy clay nanocomposites. Nanocomposites were prepared using onium ion surface modified montmorillonite (MMT) layered clay and epoxy resin (DEGBF). Two different techniques were used for dispersing the clay particles in the epoxy matrix, viz. high-speed shear dispersion and ultrasonic disruption. The volume fraction of clay particles was systematically varied from 0.5 to 6%, and mechanical properties, viz. flexural modulus and fracture toughness, were studied as a function of clay volume fraction and the processing technique. The flexural modulus was observed to increase monotonously with increase in volume fraction of clay particles, while, the fracture toughness showed an initial increase on addition of clay particles, but a subsequent decrease at higher clay volume fractions. In general, nanocomposites processed by shear mixing exhibited better mechanical properties as compared to those processed by ultrasonication. Investigation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed exfoliated clay structure in most of the nanocomposites that were fabricated. Morphologies of the fracture surfaces of nanocomposites were studied using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Presence of river markings at low clay volume fractions provided evidence of extrinsic toughening taking place in an otherwise brittle epoxy.     

WC_p含量对粉末冶金Cu/WC_p复合材料疲劳裂纹扩展行为的影响

通过粉末冶金热压烧结法制备高压电触头Cu/WC_p颗粒增强复合材料,研究WC_p颗粒含量(15%和3%,体积分数,下同)对Cu/WC_p复合材料的疲劳裂纹扩展行为的影响,并结合SEM进行断口分析;利用原位SEM疲劳裂纹观测系统原位观察微裂纹萌生,分析颗粒对裂纹扩展路径的影响机制。结果表明:在相同应力强度因子幅(△K)下WC_p含量为15%的Cu/WC_p的疲劳裂纹扩展速率大于WC_p含量为3%的复合材料;颗粒含量的增加并没有提高复合材料的裂纹扩展门槛值△K_(th),这主要是因为颗粒和基体的界面属于弱界面;在疲劳过程中颗粒脱粘形成裂纹源,不同脱牯微裂纹连接长大形成主裂纹是Cu/WC_p颗粒增强复合材料的疲劳损伤形式;当主裂纹尖端和颗粒WC_p相互作用时裂纹基本沿着颗粒界面往前扩展;复合材料的断裂模式从WC_p低含量3%时的颗粒脱粘-裂纹在基体里穿晶断裂,过渡为WC_p高含量15%时颗粒脱粘-基体被撕裂为主。     

Crystallographic characterization and indentation mechanical properties of LaB6-ZrB2 directionally solidified eutectics

LaB₆-ZrB₂ eutectics were directionally solidified by a zone melting process. The microstructure and crystallography were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The anisotropies of hardness and indentation fracture toughness were assessed by making measurements along different crystallographic directions on both transverse and longitudinal sections. While the hardness did not vary appreciably between the two orientations, the fracture toughness was observed to be highly anisotropic. Toughening behavior was observed on longitudinal sections with crack deflection and bridging mechanisms apparent. Cracks were difficult to initiate on transverse sections along directions perpendicular to the growth direction, but for 20 N loads an indentation fracture toughness of 11 MPa could be measured.     

On the Toughness Response of iPP and sPP/MWNT Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based in polypropylene (both syndiotactic and isotactic) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) directly blended in the melt via micro‐extrusion, were studied. The aim was to determine the role of MWNTs, on the creation of the plastic zone and crack propagation in double‐cracked tensile specimens. Essential work of fracture toughness testing was performed on these nanocomposites. In all cases, the effect of MWNT weight fraction on the above properties was extensively studied. Data obtained have shown a non‐linear relationship of almost all properties with MWNTs content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a micro crack/craze bridging mechanism can be detected in polymer matrix/ MWNT nanocomposites. This mechanism was observed in the fibrillated areas of the specimens' fractured surfaces. The results obtained showed a promising role of the nanotubes as tougheners for future nanocomposites' applications. Ductile‐to‐brittle transition was confirmed for MWNT contents above 1 wt%.     

Characterization of the Reaction Products That Develop in the Processing of Al2O3/BaZrO3 Laminated Composites

The absence of a chemical reaction at an interface is conventionally thought to be an important criterion in producing a tough ceramic matrix composite (CMC). As a result of this criterion, interphases in CMCs were chosen on the basis of their chemical reactivity. A weak interface results in crack deflection, crack bridging, and, in fiber-reinforced ceramics, fiber pullout, resulting in an increased fracture toughness. In this paper, we present microstructural observations on alumina (Al₂O₃)–barium zirconate (BaZrO₃) laminated composites wherein the reaction products that develop during processing resulted in sharp interfaces and appear to be weak enough to deflect cracks. These in situ reaction products in Al₂O₃–BaZrO₃ laminated composites were characterized with the use of a scanning electron microscope, an electron microprobe, and a transmission electron microscope. The phases that develop, ZrO₂, BaO·Al₂O₃, and BaO·6 Al₂O₃, produced sharp interfaces and are arranged in a sequence that could be predicted by using information from the phase diagram.     

Microstructural influence on the R-curve behavior of a 70%Si3N4-30% barium aluminum silicate self-reinforced composite

Fracture toughness and crack growth resistance (R-curve) behavior of several microstructures of 70%Si₃N₄-30%BAS composite are characterized using the indentation and modified compact tension methods, at room temperature. Both the whisker morphology and matrix properties contribute to the fracture resistance behavior. Crack deflection, whisker bridging and pullout are regarded as the dominant toughening mechanisms.