Tensile properties of polyacrylonitrile- and pitch-based hybrid carbon fiber/polyimide composites with some nanoparticles in the matrix

The tensile properties and fracture behavior of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)- and pitch-based hybrid carbon fiber/polyimide composites with several types of nanoparticles (25 nm C, 20–30 nm β-SiC, 130 nm β-SiC, 80 nm SiO₂, and 300 nm SiO₂) added to the matrix were investigated. The tensile stress–strain curves of PAN- and pitch-based hybrid carbon fiber/polyimide composites with 25 nm C, 20–30 nm β-SiC, and 80 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles have complex shapes (jagged trace), whereas the tensile response of hybrid carbon fiber/polyimide composites with 130 nm β-SiC and 300 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles indicates an instantaneous failure. The stress after the initial failure in hybrid carbon fiber/polyimide composites improves by adding 25 nm C, 20–30 nm β-SiC, and 80 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles to the matrix and correlates with the fracture toughness of the polyimide matrix.     

Mechanical properties and morphology of microparticle and nanoparticle-filled polypropylene composites

Hydrophilic microparticle and nanoparticle-filled isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites containing 5 wt% particles were extruded in a Berstorff extruder and then injection molded. For characterization the tensile and unnotched Charpy impact tests were performed. The results show that significant improvements in tensile strength, yield elongation, and unnotched impact strength are achieved in iPP/nanoparticle composite based on a good dispersion quality of nanoparticles. In the case of iPP/microparticle composite, the tensile modulus and yield strength are markedly increased compared to neat matrix, but the yield elongation and unnotched impact strength are drastically decreased due to broad size distribution of microparticles. The fracture mechanisms were discussed by studying surface morphology of failed samples. Furthermore, the influence of crystalline behavior on mechanical properties of iPP composites was discussed.     

Wear and mechanical properties of epoxy/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composites

Preparation of epoxy/SiO₂-TiO₂ composites is investigated in this paper. The products are characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy. Results of FT-IR spectroscopy and atom force microscope (AFM) demonstrated that epoxy chains have been covalently bonded to the surface of the SiO₂-TiO₂ particles. The particles sized of SiO₂-TiO₂ are about 20–50 nm, which characterized by AFM. The properties of composites such as impact strength, flexural strength, tensile strength and ring-on-block wear are also investigated. Dry sliding wear tests showed that the SiO₂-TiO₂ particles could improve the wear resistance of the epoxy matrix even though the content of the SiO₂-TiO₂ particles was at a relatively low level (1.95–2.65 wt%). This makes it possible to develop novel type of epoxy-based materials with improved wear resistance for various applications. The worn surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanisms for the improvement are discussed in this paper     

Preparation of B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C-ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-SiC eutectic ceramics by arc melting method

The B₄C-ZrB₂-SiC ternary composites with super hard and high toughness were obtained by arc melting in argon atmosphere. Microstructures were observed by SEM, and phase compositions were analyzed by XRD. The hardness and fracture toughness of ternary composites are 28 GPa and 4.5 MPa·m^1/2. The eutectic mole composition is 0.39B₄C-0.25ZrB₂-0.36SiC, and the eutectic lamellar microstructure is composed of B₄C matrix with the lamellar ZrB₂ and SiC grains.     

Effect of Al(OH)<Subscript>3</Subscript> Particle Fraction on Mechanical Properties of Particle-Reinforced Composites Using Unsaturated Polyester as Matrix

The effect of particle fraction on mechanical properties of particle-reinforced composites was studied using tensile and hardness testing. Unsaturated polyester (UP) was used as polymer matrix, and aluminum hydroxide as the reinforcing particles. The fracture morphology of tensile samples was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the tensile strength and absorbed energy increased to a maximum at 10% particle content and then decreased. With increasing content of aluminum hydroxide, the elastic modulus increased, and the fracture elongation decreased. The SEM showed that the failure of the Al(OH)₃/UP composites was one of macroscopically brittle fracture. In addition, the study showed that appropriate amount of filler can enhance the surface hardness of Al(OH)₃/UP composite.     

Microstructure and abrasive wear behaviour of B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C particle reinforced 2014 Al matrix composites

In this study, the microstructure and abrasive wear properties of varying volume fraction of particles up to 12% B₄C particle reinforced 2014 aluminium alloy metal matrix composites produced by stircasting method was investigated. The density, porosity and hardness of composites were also examined. Wear behaviour of B₄C particle reinforced aluminium alloy composites was investigated by a block-on-disc abrasion test apparatus where the samples slid against the abrasive suspension mixture (contained 10 vol.% SiC particles and 90 vol.% oil) at room conditions. Wear tests performed under 92 N against the abrasive suspension mixture with a novel three body abrasive. For wear behaviour, the volume loss and specific rate of the samples have been measured and the effects of sliding time and the content of B₄C particles on the abrasive wear properties of the composites have been evaluated. The dominant wear mechanisms were identified using SEM. Microscopic observation of the microstructures revealed that dispersion of B₄C particles was generally uniform while increasing volume fraction led to agglomeration of the particles and porosity. The density of the composite decreased with increasing reinforcement volume fraction but the porosity and hardness increased with increasing particle content. Moreover, the specific wear rate of composite decreased with increasing particle volume fraction. The wear resistance of the composite was found to be considerably higher than that of the matrix alloy and increased with increasing particle content.     

A comparative study of the effect of different rigid fillers on the fracture and failure behavior of polypropylene based composites

Polypropylene (PP) composites with 5 wt% of different rigid particles (Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, SiO₂ nanoparticles, Clay (Cloisite 20A) nanoparticles or CaCO₃ microparticles) were obtained by melt mixing. Composites with different CaCO₃ content were also prepared. The effect of fillers, filler content and addition of maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) on the composites fracture and failure behavior was investigated. For PP/CaCO₃ composites, an increasing trend of stiffness with filler loading was found while a decreasing trend of strength, ductility and fracture toughness was observed. The addition of MAPP was beneficial and detrimental to strength and ductility, respectively mainly as a result of improved interfacial adhesion. For the composites with 5 wt% of CaCO₃ or Al₂O₃, no significant changes in tensile properties were found due to the presence of agglomerated particles. However, the PP/CaCO₃ composite exhibited the best tensile behavior: the highest ductility while keeping the strength and stiffness of neat PP. In general, the composites with SiO₂ or Clay, on the other hand, displayed worse tensile strength and ductility. These behaviors could be probably related to the filler ability as nucleating agent. In addition, although the incorporation of MAPP led to improved filler dispersion, it was damaging to the material fracture behavior for the composites with CaCO₃, Al₂O₃ or Clay, as a result of a higher interfacial adhesion, the retardant effect of MAPP on PP nucleation and the lower molecular weight of the PP/MAPP blend. The PP/MAPP/SiO₂ composite, on the other hand, showed slightly increased toughness respect to the composite without MAPP due to the beneficial concomitant effects of the presence of some amount of the β crystalline phase of PP and the better filler dispersion promoted by the coupling agent which favor multiple crazing. From modeling of strength, the effect of MAPP on filler dispersion and interfacial adhesion in the PP/CaCO₃ composites was confirmed.     

Production and mechanical properties of SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript> particle-reinforced 2618 aluminum alloy composites

In this study, 2618 aluminum alloy metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with two different sizes and weight fractions of SiC_p particles upto 10% weight were fabricated by stir cast method and subsequent forging operation. The effects of SiC_p particle content and size of the particles on the mechanical properties of the composites such as hardness, tensile strength, hot tensile strength (at 120 °C), and impact strength were investigated. The density measurements showed that the samples contained little porosity with increasing weight fraction. Optical microscopic observations of the microstructures revealed uniform distribution of particles and at some locations agglomeration of particles and porosity. The results show that hardness and tensile strength of the composites increased, with decreasing size and increasing weight fraction of the particles. The hardness and tensile strength of the forged composites were higher than those of the cast samples.     

The effect of silane coupling agent on the sliding wear behavior of nanometer ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/bismaleimide composites

The polymer composites filled with nanoparticles have good friction and wear properties and widely used in many fields. The performances of nanocomposites are influenced extensively by the nanoparticles morphology, size, volume fraction and dispersion. Nanometer ZrO₂ particles have good properties, lower prices and shows good foreground in resist-materials of polymer composites. In this paper, the nanometer ZrO₂ particles are treated by silane coupling agent of N-(2-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropylmethyl dimethoxy silane. The effect of nanometer ZrO₂ content and silane coupling agent on the friction and wear properties of BMI copmposites filled with nanometer ZrO₂ are investigated. The composites filled with untreated ZrO₂ and treated ZrO₂ are prepared by the same way of mechanical high shear dispersion process and casting method. The sliding wear performance of the nanocomposites is studied on an M-200 friction and wear tester. The experimental results indicate that the frictional coefficient and the wear rate of the composites can be reduced by filled with nanometer ZrO₂. The composites containing treated nanometer ZrO₂ have the better tribological performance than that containing untreated nanometer ZrO₂. The results are explained from the SEM morphologies of the worn surface of matrix resin and the composites containing nanometer ZrO₂ and the TEM photographs of the nanometer ZrO₂ dispersion in the matrix.     

Effect of hybridization of liquid rubber and nanosilica particles on the morphology, mechanical properties, and fracture toughness of epoxy composites

A liquid carboxyl-terminated butadiene–acrylonitrile copolymer (CTBN) and SiO₂ particles in nanosize were used to modify epoxy, and binary CTBN/epoxy composites and ternary CTBN/SiO₂/epoxy composites were prepared using piperidine as curing agent. The morphologies of the composites were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and it is indicated that the size of CTBN particles increases with CTBN content in the binary composites, however, the CTBN particle size decreases with the content of nanosilica in the ternary composites. The effects of CTBN and nanosilica particles on the mechanical and fracture toughness of the composites were also investigated, it is shown that the tensile mechanical properties of the binary CTBN-modified epoxy composites can be further improved by addition of nanosilica particles, moreover, obvious improvement in fracture toughness of epoxy can be achieved by hybridization of liquid CTBN rubber and nanosilica particles. The morphologies of the fractured surface of the composites in compact tension tests were explored attentively by field emission SEM (FE-SEM), it is found that different zones (pre-crack, stable crack propagation, and fast crack zones) on the fractured surface can be obviously discriminated, and the toughening mechanism is mainly related to the stable crack propagation zone. The cavitation of the rubber particles and subsequent void growth by matrix shear deformation are the main toughening mechanisms in both binary and ternary composites.     

The Degradation Behavior of SiC<Subscript>f</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Composites in High-Temperature Environment

SiC_f/SiO₂ composites had been fabricated efficiently by Sol-Gel method. The oxidation behavior, thermal shock property and ablation behavior of SiC_f/SiO₂ composites was investigated. SiC_f/SiO₂ composites showed higher oxidation resistance in oxidation atmosphere, the flexural strength retention ratio was larger than 90.00%. After 1300 °C thermal shock, the mass retention ratio was 97.00%, and the flexural strength retention ratio was 92.60%, while after 1500 °C thermal shock, the mass retention ratio was 95.37%, and the flexural strength retention ratio was 83.34%. After 15 s ablation, the mass loss rate was 0.049 g/s and recession loss rate was 0.067 mm/s. The SiO₂ matrix was melted in priority and becomes loosen and porous. With the ablation going on, the oxides were washed away by the shearing action of the oxyacetylene flame. The evaporation of SiO₂ took away large amount of heat, which is also beneficial to the protection for SiC_f/SiO₂ composites.     

Nacre-inspired lightweight and high-strength AZ91D/Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>w composites prepared by ice templating and pressureless infiltration

We developed a facile and low-cost approach to prepare lightweight and high-strength magnesium–matrix composites with a nacre-inspired laminated structure. First, lamellar Mg₂B₂O₅ whisker (Mg₂B₂O₅w) scaffolds with initial solid loadings of 10, 15 and 20 vol% were prepared by ice templating. The wettability between a molten AZ91D alloy and the Mg₂B₂O₅w scaffold was greatly improved by the incorporation of nano-SiO₂ sol in the aqueous slurry, making the preparation of nacre-mimetic AZ91D/Mg₂B₂O₅w composite by way of pressureless infiltration feasible. The SiO₂ content in the Mg₂B₂O₅w scaffold has a significant effect on the processing and the microstructure and properties of the composites. The optimum SiO₂ content was about 6–8 wt% of the total ceramic loading. A lower SiO₂ content resulted in incomplete infiltration, while a higher content led to the formation of a large quantity of Mg₂Si in the composite. The flexural strength of the composites seemed independent of the initial ceramic loading (10–20 vol%), whereas the compressive strength and elastic modulus increased considerably and the crack-growth fracture toughness decreased with increasing ceramic content. The mechanism for such variations was addressed.     

Preparation and properties of SiO2 matrix composites doped with AlN particles

SiO₂ matrix composites doped with AlN particles were prepared by hot-pressing process. Mechanical properties of SiO₂ matrix composites can be greatly improved by doping with AlN particles. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of 30 vol%AlN-SiO₂ composite sintered at 1400°C reached 200 MPa and 2.96 MPa·m^1/2. XRD analysis indicated that, up to 1400°C, no chemical reaction occurred between SiO₂ matrix and AlN particles suggesting an excellent chemical compatibility of SiO₂ matrix with AlN particles. The influences of hot-pressing temperature and the content of AlN particles on dielectric properties of SiO₂-AlN composites were studied. The temperature and frequency dependency of dielectric properties of SiO₂-AlN composites were also studied. Residual flexural strength of SiO₂-AlN composites decreased with increasing temperature difference. The critical temperature difference was estimated about 600°C.     

Electric conductivity of a bulk composite based on Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> core-shell nanoparticles

Composite Bi₂Te₃/SiO₂ nanoparticles of the core-shell type have been synthesized for the first time with a view to creating bulk composites possessing high thermoelectric figure of merit (conversion efficiency). It is suggested that bulk composited based on Bi₂Te₃/SiO₂ nanoparticles will provide a combination of low lattice heat conduction due to SiO₂ insulator and rather high electric conduction due to charge-carrier tunneling via dielectric spacers between adjacent Bi₂Te₃ semiconductor grains. The electric resistance of the composite increases with increasing temperature in the range of 130–300 K. This temperature dependence can be described in terms of a tunneling conduction model.     

Effect of heat treatment on strength and abrasive wear behaviour of Al6061-SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript> composites

In recent years, aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites (MMC) are gaining importance in several aerospace and automobile applications. Aluminum 6061 has been used as matrix material owing to its excellent mechanical properties coupled with good formability and its wide applications in industrial sector. Addition of SiC_p as reinforcement in Al6061 alloy system improves its hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance. In the present investigation Al6061-SiC_p composites was fabricated by liquid metallurgy route with percentages of SiC_p varying from 4 wt% to 10 wt% in steps of 2 wt%. The cast matrix alloy and its composites have been subjected to solutionizing treatment at a temperature of 530°C for 1 h followed by quenching in different media such as air, water and ice. The quenched samples are then subjected to both natural and artificial ageing. Microstructural studies have been carried out to understand the nature of structure. Mechanical properties such as microhardness, tensile strength, and abrasive wear tests have been conducted both on matrix Al6061 and Al6061-SiC_p composites before and after heat treatment. However, under identical heat treatment conditions, adopted Al6061-SiC_p composites exhibited better microhardness and tensile strength reduced wear loss when compared with Al matrix alloy.     

Simultaneous epoxy grafting on SiO2 nanoparticles during bead milling and their effects on the mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites

Epoxy resin-grafted SiO₂ nanoparticles stabilized in toluene were successfully designed by the simultaneous surface modification of SiO₂ nanoparticles during bead milling which involves the adsorption of polyethyleneimine-oleic acid complex (PEI-OA) and epoxy resin grafting to the free amine groups of PEI-OA (PEI-OA-Epoxy). The effectiveness of epoxy grafting on the properties of the SiO₂/epoxy based nanocomposites were investigated using a bead-milled SiO₂/toluene suspension stabilized with PEI-OA, PEI-OA-Epoxy, and a complex of PEI and an anionic surfactant comprising an epoxy-soluble polyethylene glycol-based chain (PEI-AS). While SiO₂ nanoparticles were pulverized with similar sizes (c.a. 126–171 nm) and stabilized in toluene with any of the three surface modifications, PEI-OA-stabilized SiO₂ nanoparticles aggregated during processing epoxy-based composites. PEI-AS- and PEI-OA-Epoxy-stabilized SiO₂ nanoparticles maintained their dispersion stability, however, the epoxy composites with PEI-OA-Epoxy-stabilized SiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited better material properties, such as increase in the strain at fracture and higher T_g.     

Preparation and characterization of ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-SiC ultra-high temperature ceramics by microwave sintering

ZrB₂-SiC ultra-high temperature ceramic composites reinforced by nano-SiC whiskers and SiC particles were prepared by microwave sintering at 1850°C. XRD and SEM techniques were used to characterize the sintered samples. It was found that microwave sintering can promote the densification of the composites at lower temperatures. The addition of SiC also improved the densification of ZrB₂-SiC composites and almost fully dense ZrB₂-SiC composites were obtained when the amount of SiC increased up to 30vol.%. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of the ZrB₂-SiC composites were also enhanced; the maximum strength and toughness reached 625 MPa and 7.18 MPa·m^1/2, respectively.     

Study of (DNPs)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>/CuTl-1223 Nanoparticle-Superconductor Composites

Sol-gel and solid-state reaction methods were used to synthesize diamond nanoparticles (DNPs) and (DNPs) _x /CuTl-1223 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 wt.%) nanoparticle-superconductor composites, respectively. Effects of these DNPs on structural, morphological, compositional, and transport properties of CuTl-1223 superconducting phase were investigated by different experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and resistivity versus temperature (R-T) measurements. The unchanged crystal structure and stoichiometry of host CuTl-1223 superconducting matrix with addition of DNPs gave evidence about the dispersion of nanoparticles at the grain boundaries of the host matrix, which may heal up the inter-granular voids and pores resulting in enhanced inter-grain connectivity. Critical transition temperature T _c (0) and hole concentration of CuTl-1223 superconductor were observed to be increased with addition of DNPs up to a certain optimum value (i.e. x = 0.5 wt.%).     

Cryogenic properties of SiO2/epoxy nanocomposites

SiO₂/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared using diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-F (DGEBF) type epoxy and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) via the sol-gel process. Silica nanoparticles were collected after burning off the matrix resin and the silica nanoparticles were observed using TEM. The cryogenic tensile properties at 77 K and thermal expansion coefficient of the nanocomposites were studied. The tensile properties at room temperature were also given to compare with the cryogenic tensile properties. The fracture surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of silica nanoparticle content have been studied on the cryogenic tensile and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. In addition, the dependence of the glass transition temperature on the silica nanoparticle content has also been examined.     

Influence of the diameter of CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> particles on the mechanical and rheological properties of PVC composites

PVC composites filled with CaCO₃ particles with different diameter (about 40, 80, 500, 25000 nm) were prepared by using a single-screw extruder. The mechanical and rheological properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that while the diameter of CaCO₃ nanoparticles was smaller, the mechanical properties of composites were higher. By adding 40-nm CaCO₃ nanoparticles into the PVC matrix, the single-notched impact strength of the nanocomposite at room temperature reached 82.4 kJ/m², which was 3.5 times that of the PVC matrix without CaCO₃ (23.3 kJ/m²) and 4.6 times that of the PVC blend filled with micro-CaCO₃ (17.9 kJ/m²). The tensile and flexural properties of nanocomposites were also prior to those of the composites with 500-nm and 25-μm CaCO₃ particles. The CaCO₃ particles could make the rheological property of PVC composites worse. Moreover, the effect of mass ratio of nano-CaCO₃ and micro-CaCO₃ on the properties of PVC door and window profile in industry was studied. When the mass ratio was 2.5/9, the profile could obtain good mechanical properties.