The effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on the processing of epoxy/glass fiber composites using resin infusion

In this paper, the effects of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on glass fiber composite processing by incorporating them into epoxy resin were investigated. GO was synthesized from graphite powder and was mixed with epoxy resin. Three different GO contents of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 wt% were used. Epoxy/GO samples were tested for rheology and cure kinetics to evaluate the effects of GO content on important resin infusion processing parameters. The results show that adding GO to neat epoxy resin increased the viscosity and affected the resin cure reaction by reducing the resin gel time. After that, glass fiber composites were prepared using the resin infusion process. Samples with 0.2 wt% GO result in very slow resin infiltration time with premature resin gelation. A 30 % increase in flexural strength and a 21 % increase in flexural modulus are manifested by adding GO as the secondary reinforcement to glass fiber composites

Quantitation of the reinforcement effect of silica nanoparticles in epoxy resins used in liquid composite moulding processes

Epoxy-silica nanocomposites are tested for their suitability as a new type of matrix for fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) using injection technology (LCM). A key focus is determining the processing characteristics of the nanocomposites. The silica nanoparticle content varies between 0 and 25 wt% for the high performance epoxy resin. Photon Cross Correlation Spectroscopy (PCCS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis performed on the liquid and cured epoxy-silica nanocomposites indicate a nearly homogeneous distribution of the nanoscaled silica in the epoxy matrix, even at rather high weight percentages. Depending on the silica content of the composite, its stiffness, strength, and toughness can be increased significantly compared with neat resin. Moreover, resin shrinkage and the thermal expansion (CTE) can be significantly reduced and the thermal conductivity increased. Concomitant the glass transition temperature remains nearly constant. The initial viscosity of the resin increases slightly depending on the nanoparticle content, while the gel-time slightly decreases. The injectability of the nanocomposite for the purpose of lamination using the LCM technology is nearly unaffected. The optimum filler content is at app. 25 wt% silica. Epoxy-silica nanocomposites are now proven to be a new high performance polymer matrix for FRP structures manufactured by the low cost LCM techniques

Effect of CNT surface functionalisation on the mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy-composites

The use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as filler material for the mechanical reinforcement of plastics requires an effective surface functionalisation in order to allow the integration of CNTs into the molecular structure of the matrix. Some of these additives have an effect on the chemical structure, thus changing the mechanical properties of the investigated epoxy. This paper examines the extent of matrix reinforcement achieved through the addition of CNTs, functionalised CNTs and a variety of additives. It is shown that the mechanical improvements of the matrix are due mainly to the modification of the chemical curing reaction and only to a small degree to the CNTs

Innovative Reaktoren und in situ Analytik fuer Nano-Schutzschichten. Teilvorhaben: Hohlkathoden-Plasmaquelle fuer Nano-Schutzschichten Abschlussbericht

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F03B1533 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung, Berlin (Germany)DEGerman