Investigation of damping and toughness properties of epoxy-based nanocomposite using different reinforcement mechanisms: Polymeric alloying, nanofiber, nanolayered, and nanoparticulate materials

Abstract

In this study, structural damping and toughness characteristics of epoxy-based nanocomposite containing four different mechanisms of reinforcing investigated. These mechanisms are using multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as nanofiber, clay as nanolayer, SiO2 as particulate nanofiller, and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) for polymeric alloying. The epoxy resin used was diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured by cycloaliphatic polyamine. Natural frequency and damping coefficient are computed from the Stochastic Subspace Identification-Data Driven (SSI-Data) method. These parameters measured by Laser Doppler Vibrometer. In addition, impact resistance of these four types of composites is tested. The test results are compared between different weight percent loading of each reinforcement and also between different mechanisms. Also, morphological properties of DGEBA/CNT, DGEBA/clay, DGEBA/SiO2, and DGEBA/HIPS were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).