Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-pressed B4C/TiC/Mo ceramic composites

Boron carbide (B₄C)/TiC/Mo ceramic composites with different content of TiC were produced by hot pressing. The effect of TiC content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites has been studied. Results showed that chemical reaction took place for this system during hot pressing sintering, and resulted in a B₄C/TiB₂/Mo composite with high density and improved mechanical properties compared to monolithic B₄C ceramic. Densification rates of the B₄C/TiC/Mo composites were found to be affected by additions of TiC. Increasing TiC content led to increase in the densification rates of the composites. The sintering temperature was lowered from 2150 °C for monolithic B₄C to 1950 °C for the B₄C/TiC/Mo composites. The fracture toughness, flexural strength, and hardness of the composites increased with increasing TiC content up to 10 wt.%. The maximum values of fracture toughness, flexural strength, and hardness are 4.3 MPa m^1/2, 695 MPa, and 25.0 GPa, respectively.     

Small strain mechanical properties of latex-based acrylic nanocomposite films

A waterborne latex-based technique has been used to prepare acrylic films with laponite contents up to about 25 vol%. The laponite was attached to the surfaces of the latex particles, giving a cellular arrangement of laponite-rich regions at high laponite contents. Two regimes of reinforcement were observed, depending on whether T was above or below T_g, reinforcement at T > T_g being significantly greater than predicted by micromechanical models. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis showed part of the organic content of the films not to contribute to the glass transition. This “rigid amorphous fraction” (RAF) was argued to correspond to intercalated regions of the matrix. However, the RAF alone was insufficient to account for the observed increases in stiffness at T > T_g. The mechanical response is therefore discussed in terms of a four-phase model, in which intercalated laponite stacks are embedded in a matrix with reduced mobility, forming a foam-like structure, in turn embedded in a matrix with the properties of the bulk polymer.     

New polyurea MWCNTs nanocomposite films with enhanced mechanical properties

Polyurea nanocomposites represent a promising option in the development of advanced materials for applications that require high mechanical resistance. This article describes an optimized synthetic route for obtaining polyurea nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties by employing epoxy‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcing agent. The experimental measurements revealed that these functionalized nanofillers have a positive effect on the properties of the composite only until they reach a certain concentration; therefore, the optimal composition was reported (the samples containing 0.2 weight % functionalized MWCNTs). The functionalization of the MWCNTs was confirmed through RAMAN, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, while the polyurea nanocomposites obtained have been characterized by thermal (differential scanning calorimetry and TGA) and mechanical (dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests) analyses. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45061.     

Subsurface mechanical properties of polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite thin films studied by nanoindentation

A series of the exfoliated or intercalated PU/organoclay nanocomposite thin films were prepared by in situ polymerization of polyol/organoclay mixture, chain extender and diisocyanate. The surface mechanical properties of the PU/organoclay nanocomposite films were investigated by means of nanoindentation. The results show that the hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistant of the nanocomposites dramatically improved with the incorporation of organoclay. This improvement was dependent on the clay content as well as the formation structure of clay in the PU matrix. At 3% clay content, the hardness and elastic modulus of intercalated nanocomposites increased by approximately 16% and 44%, respectively, compare to pure PU. For exfoliated nanocomposite, the improvements in these properties were about 3.5 and 1.6 times higher than the intercalated ones. The exfoliated PU nanocomposites also had greater hardness and showed better scratch resistance compared to the intercalated ones.     

Structural and mechanical properties of DLC films prepared by bipolar PBII&D

In the present study, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were prepared by bipolar plasma based ion implantation and deposition (PBII&D), and the structural and mechanical properties of the DLC films deposited on Si substrates were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. In the PBII&D processing, the positive and negative pulse voltages were varied from 1 to 3 kV and from ? 1 to ? 15 kV, respectively. With an increase in the pulse voltages, the Raman G-peak position and I(D) / I(G) ratio increased, and the G-peak full width at half maximum (FWHM(G)) decreased, indicating graphitization of the DLC films. In the low wavenumber regime, the FWHM(G) increases when the G-peak shifts to higher wavenumbers, reaching a maximum value at around 1540 cm^? 1, and then decreases. This behavior was due to the structural changes occurring in the DLC films with an increase in the wavenumber. DLC to polymer-like carbon (PLC) transition occurred in the low wavenumber regime, and DLC to graphite-like carbon (GLC) transition occurred in the high wavenumber regime. Further, two different trends were observed in the relationship between the mechanical properties (hardness, elastic modulus, and internal stress) of the DLC films and the FWHM(G), originating from the structural change from DLC to GLC and PLC.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mo2FeB2 ceramic-steels with Nb/V addition

Seven series of Mo₂FeB₂ ceramic-steels with Nb/V content between 0 and 6?wt-% had been successfully fabricated by liquid phase reaction sintering. The microstructure was studied by means of field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The hardness (HRA), transverse rupture strength (TRS) and wear resistance were also measured. The results reveal that the grain size decreased with the increase of Nb content, but had little change with the increase of V content. With the increase of Nb/V content, the hardness and TRS both enhance first and then descends. Mo₂FeB₂ ceramic-steels with 4?wt-% Nb content show the highest hardness and TRS of HRA 90.6 and 1970?MPa and the best dry sliding wear resistance.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mo0.9Cr0.1AlB solid solution

In this study, Mo_0.9Cr_0.1AlB solid solution ceramic bulks were prepared from the element powder mixtures using hot pressing sintering method. Compared with MoAlB ceramics, the grains of as-prepared Mo_0.9Cr_0.1AlB were refined obviously. The lattice constants of Mo_0.9Cr_0.1AlB were confirmed to be a = 3.205 Å, b = 13.999 Å and c = 3.098 Å. The density of Mo_0.9Cr_0.1AlB was lower than that of MoAlB due to the incorporation of Cr element. In addition, the effect of doping Cr element on the comprehensive mechanical properties was studied as well. The hardness and compressive strength were improved significantly. In comparison with MoAlB ceramic, the improvement of mechanical properties could be attributed to solid solution strengthening and grain refinement.     

Studies on characterization and cryogenic mechanical properties of polyimide-layered silicate nanocomposite films

Polyimide/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization process from PMDA-ODA and organo-MMT in a solution of N,N-dimethylacetamide. XRD, FTIR, UV-vis analyses showed that at the content of 1 wt% MMT, MMT were well intercalated, exfoliated and dispersed in polyimide matrix. As the MMT content is more than 3 wt%, MMT agglomerates became severe as shown by the transparency and transmittance of the hybrid films. The cryogenic mechanical properties of the films at 77 K were studied and compared with those at room temperature. The cryogenic tensile strength showed the highest value at 1 wt% MMT content, and its strength, modulus and elongation at break were simultaneously increased than the pure PI film. The cryogenic elastic modulus exhibited an increasing trend until the MMT content reached 10 wt%. The cryogenic failure strain of hybrid films with 1-3 wt% MMT contents was greater than 10%, showing good ductility at 77 K. The tensile strength and modulus of the hybrid films at 77 K were generally higher than those at room temperature except at 20 wt% MMT for the strength.     

PMIA/蒙脱土纳米复合薄膜的制备与性能研究

采用经十六烷基三甲基溴化铵有机改性的钠基蒙脱土(Na-OMMT)对间位芳香族聚酰胺(PMIA)进行改性,并采用刮涂法制得PMIA/Na-OMMT纳米复合薄膜,对复合薄膜的形貌结构及性能进行了表征。结果表明:当Na-OMMT质量分数小于等于1.5%时,Na-OMMT在PMIA基体中的分散性较好;当Na-OMMT质量分数为1.5%时,PMIA/Na-OMMT纳米复合薄膜的电压击穿强度为106.48 kV/mm,比纯PMIA薄膜提高了26.73%,表面电阻率为1.25×10~(14)Ω,体积电阻率为7.86×10~(15)Ω·cm,均比纯PMIA薄膜显著提高;随着Na-OMMT含量的逐渐增加,PMIA/Na-OMMT纳米复合薄膜的热膨胀系数减小,光学透过率逐渐减小,对紫外光的阻挡作用有较大提高,拉伸强度先增大后减小,当Na-OMMT质量分数为1.0%时,拉伸强度达到最大值,为108.12 MPa。     

Synthesis and properties of ZnS/ polyimide nanocomposite films

A series of ZnS/polyimide (PI) nanocomposite films with different ZnS contents have been successfully fabricated by incorporating ZnS nanoparticles with a diameter of 2–5 nm into polyamic acid, followed by a stepwise thermal imidization process. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirm the successful introduction of ZnS particles into PI matrix. Transmission electron microscopy images show that the ZnS nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix without aggregation. The incorporation of ZnS nanoparticles can improve the mechanical properties and the glass transition temperature of nanocomposites, while the thermal degradation temperature of nanocomposites decreases with increasing ZnS content. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry Society of Chemical Industry     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a metakaolinite-based geopolymer nanocomposite reinforced with carbon nanotubes

The preparation and mechanical behavior of metakaolin-based geopolymer nanocomposite reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes are presented in this study. In this work, Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the metakaolin-based geopolymer paste at 0, 0.5, or 1 wt% concentration. For each specimen, the mechanical properties were tested at the age of 7, 14 and 28 days. TEM and FESEM were employed to evaluate the dispersion quality of MWCNTs within the metakaolin geopolymer matrix and determine their strengthening mechanism. The test results showed that the addition of about 0.5 wt% MWCNTs increased the compressive and flexural strength by as much as 32% and 28%, respectively. Based on these results, the MWCNTs can act as effective bridges to minimize and limit the propagation of micro cracks through the metakaolin-based geopolymer nanocomposite under the conditions of homogenous dispersion and good bonding between the MWCNTs and the surrounding metakaolin-based geopolymer paste.     

Microstructure and properties of porous nanocomposite films: effects of composition and process parameters

Porous nanocomposite films based on polypropylene (PP) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were prepared by melt extrusion followed by uniaxial stretching. The effects of drawing temperature, extension rate, stretching ratio and composition of the base films on the final properties and microstructure of the stretched films were studied. Water vapor permeability (WVP) results showed a significant decrease in permeability of the films stretched at temperatures higher than 60 °C. Porosity, pore size and water vapor transmission rate in the porous nanocomposite films had a direct relation with nanoparticle content, extension rate and stretching ratio. Study of the morphology of the stretched films, using SEM, revealed that the pores form due to PP/TiO₂ interfacial debonding at low stretching ratios. Higher stretching ratios cause an enlargement of the pores and the formation of a PP fibril structure parallel to the stretching direction. Quantification of dye adsorption revealed that the quantity of adsorbed dye increased with porosity and surface area of the pores. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of CeO2 doped diamond-like carbon films

A kind of rare earth oxide, CeO₂, was doped into the diamond-like carbon (DLC) films with thickness of 180–200 nm, using unbalanced magnetron sputtering. All the adhesion strength of CeO₂ doped DLC films is increased, while the residual compressive stress is obviously decreased compared to pure DLC film. Specially, the residual compressive stress of the deposited films are reduced by 90%, when the CeO₂ content is in the range of 5–7%, from a value of about 4.1 GPa to 0.5 GPa. When the CeO₂ content is increased to 10%, the deposited films possess the highest adhesion strength of 85 mN, 37% higher than that of pure DLC film. The nanohardness and elastic modulus exist a transition point at 8% of CeO₂ content within the DLC film. Before this value, nanohardness and elastic modulus of CeO₂ doped DLC films are lower than those of pure DLC film, and after this value, they are higher or adjacent to those of pure DLC film. Auger electron spectroscopy shows a more widened interface of 6% CeO₂ doped DLC film compared to pure DLC film. The enhancement of adhesion strength is mainly attributed to the widening of the film-substrate interface, as well as the decrease of residual compressive stress.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of pulsed laser deposited boron nitride films

Boron nitride films were prepared by pulsed laser ablation from a boron nitride target using a KrF-excimer laser, where the growing films were deposited in nitrogen atmosphere or bombarded by a nitrogen/argon ion beam. Films deposited without or at weak ion bombardment (such films will be called l-BN in this paper) are hexagonal with amorphous to turbostratic microstructure (l-BN) and show high adhesive strength to silicon and stainless steel substrates. By using them as intermediate layers, the adhesion of pure cubic boron nitride films (c-BN) can significantly be improved. l-BN films and l-BN/h-BN/c-BN layer systems have been investigated by in-situ ellipsometry, infrared spectroscopy and cross-section and plan-view high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, including diffraction. The mechanical properties, i.e. stress and hardness, of these films and layer systems are presented. l-BN films deposited at higher laser energy densities have compressive stresses as high as 11.5 GPa. Films deposited at lower laser energy densities have stresses in the range of 4.7 to 1.3 GPa and a Vickers hardness in the range of 18.6 to 7.5 GPa depending on substrate temperature and ion bombardment. The compressive stresses of 400 nm thick adherent c-BN films were estimated to be 4.5 GPa.     

Mechanical and dielectric properties of polyimide/silica nanocomposite films

Polyimide/silica (PI/silica) nanocomposite films were successfully prepared via in situ dispersive polymerisation and thermal imidisation. In order to obtain homogeneous nanoscale dispersibility and good compatibility with the PI matrix, hydrophobic aerosil was selected as the nanosilica precursor. 4,4-Bis(3-aminophenoxy)biphenyl (4,3-BAPOBP) was used as diamine to improve the processability of PI. The PI/silica nanocomposite films were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical and dielectric properties of the films were also measured. The results demonstrate that the tensile strength and breakdown strength of films can be markedly improved by the addition of appropriate amounts of silica to the PI matrix. At a silica content of 4.0?wt-%, the tensile strength and the breakdown strength of the films increased by 21 and 13%, respectively, compared with the neat PI. Thus, it is feasible to use nanosilica to improve the properties of PI.     

Microstructure and properties of novel ReO<Subscript>2</Subscript> /polyimide nanocomposite films

A series of Rhenium (VII, Re⁷⁺) compound-doped polyimide (PI) nanohybrid films had been successfully fabricated from methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) and polyamic acid (PAA) via the solution direct-dispersing method, followed by a stepwise thermal imidization process. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that MTO had decomposed into Re (IV) oxidation state (ReO₂). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that for the differrent hybrid films, the ReO₂ nanoparticles which formed by MTO decomposing well dispersed in polyimide matrix with a size of 40–60 nm. Thermal analysis indicated that the introduction of MTO decreased the thermal stability and the glass transition temperature (T_g) because of the unstable MTO. DMTA and static tensile measurements showed that the storage modulus and the elongation at break of nanocomposite films had a maximum value when the 1% of MTO was doped in PI, while the tensile strength decreased with increasing MTO content on the whole.     

Thermal annealing behaviour of alloyed DLC films on steel: Determination and modelling of mechanical properties

A shortcoming of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films is the poor stability of their microstructure and properties at elevated temperatures. In this study, the effect of annealing on the stability of DLC films alloyed with silicon and deposited on steel is investigated. A comprehensive study of the mechanical properties is carried out by a novel method combining normal indentations with micro- and macroindentors assisted by finite element calculations of the indentation. The mechanical properties of the layers are correlated to structural changes in the film and to interface reactions.While it has become a common practice to determine hardness and the Young's modulus of thin films by nanoindentation and to calculate residual stresses from the bending of the film/substrate system, evaluation of the interface toughness, which is a measure of adhesion, and of the film rupture strength is less straightforward. Here, Hertzian-type ring cracks are generated in the film by nanoindentation of the film/substrate system with spherical diamond tips. From the critical load for crack generation the film rupture strength is deduced using finite element calculations. Similarly, Rockwell C hardness tests in combination with calculations are performed to measure the interface toughness.Applying these methods to DLC films on steel, it has been found that the Young's modulus decreases with increasing silicon content and the residual stress drops below 1 GPa. The rupture strength approaches its theoretical limit of E/10. Annealing at 500 °C reduces the adhesion energy significantly. The variation of mechanical properties can be attributed to structural changes in the film as investigated by Raman spectroscopy.     

PMMA/SiO_2纳米复合膜表面性能的研究

采用有机硅处理剂对纳米SiO2进行化学修饰,得到表面官能团化的纳米SiO2,然后再通过溶液聚合法制备了聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯/二氧化硅(PMMA/SiO2)纳米复合膜.利用傅里叶红外光谱仪(FT-IR)、扫描电镜(SEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)、水接触角仪(WCA)对其进行表征.结果表明,经有机硅处理剂官能团化的纳米SiO2能很好地分散于PMMA基体中,SiO2有富集到聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯表面的趋势,加入纳米SiO2降低了聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯表面自由能,提高了膜表面的水接触角.经四氢呋喃溶剂刻蚀后,膜表面的水接触角显著提高,得到憎水型PMMA/SiO2纳米复合膜.     

Physical properties of polyethylene/silicate nanocomposite blown films

Maleated polyethylene/silicate nanocomposite and maleated polyethylene/SiO₂ blown films were prepared by melt extrusion. The silicate and SiO₂ significantly affected the physical properties of the films. The former films showed higher tensile strength than the latter films. This high reinforcement effect seemed to be attributable to the strong interaction between the matrix and silicate as well as the uniform dispersion of silicate layers in the polymer matrix. The addition of silicate beyond a certain content gave a worse Elmendorf tear strength than SiO₂. The silicate did not increase the falling dart impact strength at all. The worst Elmendorf strength apparently originated from the orientation of anisotropic silicate rather than the orientation of lamellae of the polymer matrix, and the silicate made the films more brittle. The well‐dispersed silicate layers in the polymer matrix gave almost the same optical properties as the pure polymer despite the increase in the silicate content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2131–2136, 2003     

Advance polymeric carbon nanocomposite films with enhanced thermo‐mechanical properties

The homogenous nanocomposite films of UV/O₃ oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) subsequently modified with aniline moiety were synthesized with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) through free radical polymerization. The phenylamine functional groups present on the surface of MWCNTs providing an anchoring sites for deposition of Ag metal nanoparticles (NP).The in situ free radical polymerization of MMA in the presence of these well dispersed nanotubes gave a new class of radiation resistant nanocomposite films. The synthesized materials were characterized by FT‐IR, TGA, TEM, EDX, TC, DMA, universal testing machine, and optical microscopy to ascertain their structural morphologies, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. The microscopic and structural properties reflect the homogenous mixing of modified MWCNTs in polymer matrix contributing in enhancement of thermal stability, thermo‐mechanical strength, glass transition temperatures, and thermal conductivity of nanocomposites even at 0.25 wt% addition of modified nanofiller. Thermal and thermo‐mechanical behavior of pre‐ and post‐UV/O₃ irradiated nanocomposite films have been compared with neat polymer. The results revealed that modified nanofiller network can effectively disperse the radiation and has a dramatic reinforcement effect on the nature of degradation of PMMA matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers