Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Glass/Epoxy Syntactic Foams Containing Carbon Nanotubes and Nanosilica

Abstract:

The effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanoSiO₂ content on physico-mechanical properties of glass microspheres-epoxy resin composite, designed for blast energy absorbing applications, was evaluated experimentally. Specific porous lightweight foam with high volume fraction of microspheres (70 vol.%) was prepared and modified by 1 to 5 vol.% of multi-wall carbon nanotubes and nanosilica (nanoSiO₂). Two types of microsperes with different wall thickness and strength were used. The quality of dispersion of nanoparticles was evaluated in relation to the mixing procedure using scanning electron microscope observation. The compressive and flexural strength tests were conducted at quasi-static load. The mixtures containing nanosilica exhibited an increasing trend in both flexural and compressive strength with increasing nanoparticle content up to 4 vol.%. The addition of carbon nanotubes also increased flexural strength (again up to 4 vol%, crossing this concentration, the significant drop was observed), whereas the compressive strength was affected at lower level. Nanoparticle modification is more effective in the foams with higher thickness and thus strength. The evaluation of test results showed that the properties of glass/epoxy foams can be tailored by adding nanoscale fillers.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1124)
• Pages: 51-56
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1124.51
• Online since: September 2015
• Authors: Martina Drdlová*, Michal Frank, Jaroslav Buchar, Radek Řídký
• Keywords: Blast Energy Absorber, Carbon Nanotubes, Epoxide Resin, Glass Microspheres, Nanosilica, Polymer, SHPB

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