Effect of nanomaterial dispersion on modulus and on adhesion strength of an epoxy resin (poster)

Epoxy resins are one of the widely used resins in composite applications due to their superior physical and chemical properties, but they lack superior mechanical properties [1]. Several attempts have been made by various researchers to improve the mechanical properties of epoxy resins, e.g., by incorporating nanoclay [2], nanotubes [3], etc. In this work both nanoclay and carbon nanotube were used to improve the mechanical properties of an epoxy resin. The effect of incorporation of nanomaterials on adhesion strength of the epoxy towards the aluminium (AL2024) substrate was also checked. Different weight fractions of nanomaterials were mixed with the resin by a high speed mixer. Nanomaterial dispersion was checked by X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mechanical properties of epoxies and epoxy nanocomposites were measured according to ASTM standard D638. Pull-off testing (in accordance with ISO 4624) was carried out to measure the adhesion strength between epoxy resin and aluminum substrates and between epoxy nanocomposites and aluminum substrates. The results indicate that the tensile modulus of the epoxy systems is enhanced with the addition of both nanoclay and nanotube and also that incorporation of nanomaterial has a positive influence on the adhesion strength [4].



Reference:
1. K. T. Lau, C. Gu, D. Hui (2006). "A critical review on nanotube/nanoclay related polymer composite materials" Composites: Part B 37: 425.
2. T. D. Ngo, T. Ton-that, S.V. Hoa, K.C. Cole, M. T. Ton-that, K. C. Cole (2010). "The influence of clay dispersion, clay concentrations and epoxy chemistry on the fracture toughness of epoxy nanocomposites" Journal of Science and Engineering of Composite Materials 17: 1.
3. Z. Spitalsky, D. Tasis, K. Papagelis, C. Galiotis (2010). "Carbon nanotube-polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties" Progress in Polymer Science 35: 357
4. L. L. Zhai, G. P. Ling, Y. W. Wang (2007). "Effect of nano-Al2O3 on adhesion strength of epoxy adhesive and steel" International Journal of Adhesion & Adhesives 28: 6.