Fractography analysis of 0.5 wt% multi-layer graphene/nanoclayreinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Rasheed Atif; Fawad Inam; Rasheed Atif; Fawad Inam

doi:10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1266

AIMS Materials Science

2016, Volume 3, Issue 3: 1266-1280. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1266

Previous Article Next Article

Research article Topical Sections

Fractography analysis of 0.5 wt% multi-layer graphene/nanoclayreinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Rasheed Atif ,
Fawad Inam ^,

Northumbria University, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Department of Mechanical andConstruction Engineering, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom

Received: 07 August 2016 Accepted: 29 August 2016 Published: 07 September 2016

The topographical features of fractured tensile, flexural, K_1C, and impact specimens of0.5 wt% multi-layer graphene (MLG)/nanoclay-epoxy (EP) nanocomposites have been investigated.The topographical features studied include maximum roughness height (R_max or R_z),root meansquare value (R_q), roughness average (R_a), and waviness (W_a).Due to the deflection and bifurcationof cracks by nano-fillers, specific fracture patterns are observed. Although these fracture patternsseem aesthetically appealing, however, if delved deeper, they can further be used to estimate theinfluence of nano-filler on the mechanical properties. By a meticulous examination of topographicalfeatures of fractured patterns, various important aspects related to fillers can be approximated such asdispersion state, interfacial interactions, presence of agglomerates, and overall influence of theincorporation of filler on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites. In addition, treating thenanocomposites with surfaces of specific topography can help improve the mechanical properties ofnanocomposites.
- fractography,
- multi-layer graphene (MLG),
- nanoclay,
- epoxy,
- nanocomposites
Citation: Rasheed Atif, Fawad Inam. Fractography analysis of 0.5 wt% multi-layer graphene/nanoclayreinforced epoxy nanocomposites[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2016, 3(3): 1266-1280. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2016.3.1266

Related Papers:

Abstract

The topographical features of fractured tensile, flexural, K_1C, and impact specimens of0.5 wt% multi-layer graphene (MLG)/nanoclay-epoxy (EP) nanocomposites have been investigated.The topographical features studied include maximum roughness height (R_max or R_z),root meansquare value (R_q), roughness average (R_a), and waviness (W_a).Due to the deflection and bifurcationof cracks by nano-fillers, specific fracture patterns are observed. Although these fracture patternsseem aesthetically appealing, however, if delved deeper, they can further be used to estimate theinfluence of nano-filler on the mechanical properties. By a meticulous examination of topographicalfeatures of fractured patterns, various important aspects related to fillers can be approximated such asdispersion state, interfacial interactions, presence of agglomerates, and overall influence of theincorporation of filler on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites. In addition, treating thenanocomposites with surfaces of specific topography can help improve the mechanical properties ofnanocomposites.

References

[1]	Carlson RL, Kardomateas GA, Craig JI (2012) Mechanics of failure mechanisms in structures. 1st ed, springer.
[2]	Miracle DB, Donaldson SL (2001) ASM Handbook: Vol. 21 Composites.
[3]	Yao XF, Zhou D, Yeh HY (2008) Macro/microscopic fracture characterizations of SiO₂/epoxy nanocomposites. Aerosp Sci Technol 12: 223–230.
[4]	Wetzel B, Rosso P, Haupert F, et al. (2006) Epoxy nanocomposites—fracture and toughening mechanisms. Eng Fract Mech 73: 2375–2398.
[5]	Naous W, Yu XY, Zhang QX, et al. (2006) Morphology, tensile properties, and fracture toughness of epoxy/Al₂O₃ nanocomposites. J Polym Sci Pol Phys 44: 1466–1473.
[6]	Kim BC, Park SW, Lee DG (2008) Fracture toughness of the nano-particle reinforced epoxy composite. Compos Struct 86: 69–77.
[7]	Wang K, Chen L, Wu J, et al. (2005) Epoxy nanocomposites with highly exfoliated clay: Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms. Macromolecules 38: 788–800.
[8]	Liu W, Hoa SV, Pugh M (2005) Fracture toughness and water uptake of high-performance epoxy/nanoclay nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 65: 2364–2373.
[9]	Gojny FH, Wichmann MHG, K?pke U (2004) Carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy-composites: Enhanced stiffness and fracture toughness at low nanotube content. Compos Sci Technol 64: 2363–2371.
[10]	Yu N, Zhang ZH, He SY (2008) Fracture toughness and fatigue life of MWCNT/epoxy composites. Mater Sci Eng A 494: 380–384.
[11]	Srikanth I, Kumar S, Kumar A, et al. (2012) Effect of amino functionalized MWCNT on the crosslink density, fracture toughness of epoxy and mechanical properties of carbon-epoxy composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 43: 2083–2086.
[12]	Mathews MJ, Swanson SR (2007) Characterization of the interlaminar fracture toughness of a laminated carbon/epoxy composite. Compos Sci Technol 67: 1489–1498.
[13]	Arai M, Noro Y, Sugimoto K (2008) Mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP laminates toughened by carbon nanofiber interlayer. Compos Sci Technol 68: 516–525.
[14]	Wong DWY, Lin L, McGrail PT, et al. (2010) Improved fracture toughness of carbon fibre/epoxy composite laminates using dissolvable thermoplastic fibres. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 41: 759–767.
[15]	Atif R, Shyha I, Inam F (2016) Modeling and experimentation of multi-layered nanostructured graphene-epoxy nanocomposites for enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. J Compos Mater 1–12.
[16]	Atif R, Inam F (2016) Modeling and simulation of graphene based polymer nanocomposites : Advances in the last decade. Graphene 96–142.
[17]	Yanovsky YG, Nikitina EA, Karnet YN, et al. (2009) Quantum mechanics study of the mechanism of deformation and fracture of graphene. Phys Mesomech 12: 254–262.
[18]	Lu Q, Gao W, Huang R (2011) Atomistic simulation and continuum modeling of graphene nanoribbons under uniaxial tension. Model Simul Mater Sci Eng 19: 599–605.
[19]	Theodosiou TC, Saravanos D (2014) Numerical simulation of graphene fracture using molecular mechanics based nonlinear finite elements. Comput Mater Sci 82: 56–65.
[20]	Ni Z, Bu H, Zou M, et al. (2010) Anisotropic mechanical properties of graphene sheets from molecular dynamics. Phys B Condens Matter 405: 1301–1306.
[21]	Liu Y, Xu Z (2014) Multimodal and self-healable interfaces enable strong and tough graphene-derived materials. J Mech Phys Solids 70: 30–41.
[22]	Liu F, Ming P, Li J (2007) Ab initio calculation of ideal strength and phonon instability of graphene under tension. Phys Rev B 76: 471–478.
[23]	Mortazavi B, Rabczuk T (2015) Multiscale modeling of heat conduction in graphene laminates. Carbon 85: 1–7.
[24]	Cao G (2014) Atomistic studies of mechanical properties of graphene. Polymers-Basel 6: 2404–2432.
[25]	Allegra G, Raos G, Vacatello M (2008) Theories and simulations of polymer-based nanocomposites: From chain statistics to reinforcement. Prog Polym Sci 33: 683–731.
[26]	Cho J, Luo JJ, Daniel IM (2007) Mechanical characterization of graphite/epoxy nanocomposites by multi-scale analysis. Compos Sci Technol 67: 2399–2407.
[27]	Hamdia KM, Msekh MA, Silani M, et al. (2015) Uncertainty quantification of the fracture properties of polymeric nanocomposites based on phase field modeling. Compos Struct 133: 1177–1190.
[28]	Cotell CM, Sprague JA, Smidth FAJ (1994) ASM Handbook: Vol. 5 Surface Engineering.
[29]	Karger-Kocsis J, Friedrich K (1993) Microstructure-related fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth behaviour in toughened, anhydride-cured epoxy resins. Compos Sci Technol 48: 263–272.
[30]	Padenko E, Berki P, Wetzel B, et al. (2016) Mechanical and abrasion wear properties of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber of identical hardness filled with carbon black and silica. J Reinf Plast Compos 35: 81–91.
[31]	Karger-Kocsis J, Mahmood H, Pegoretti A (2015) Recent advances in fiber/matrix interphase engineering for polymer composites. Prog Mater Sci 73: 1–43.
[32]	Romhány G, Wu C, Lai W, et al. (2016) Fracture behavior and damage development in self-reinforced PET composites assessed by located acoustic emission and thermography: Effects of flame retardant and recycled PET. Compos Sci Technol 132: 76–83.
[33]	Friedrich K, Schlarb AK, Karger-Kocsis J, et al. (2013) Tribology of Polymeric Nanocomposites. Elsevier.
[34]	Turcsán T, Mészáros L, Khumalo VM, et al. (2014) Fracture behavior of boehmite‐filled polypropylene block copolymer nanocomposites as assessed by the essential work of fracture concept. J Appl Polym Sci 131: 378–387.
[35]	Atif R, Shyha I, Inam F (2016) The degradation of mechanical properties due to stress concentration caused by retained acetone in epoxy nanocomposites. RSC Adv 6: 34188–34197.
[36]	Kuo WS, Tai NH, Chang TW (2013) Deformation and fracture in graphene nanosheets. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 51: 56–61.
[37]	Tang LC, Wan YJ, Yan D, et al. (2013) The effect of graphene dispersion on the mechanical properties of graphene/epoxy composites. Carbon 60: 16–27.

Reader Comments

Your name:*

Email:*
© 2016 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)