Macro/microscopic fracture characterizations of SiO2/epoxy nanocomposites

• Published in: Aerospace science and technology Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 223 - 230
• Main Authors: YAO, X. F, ZHOU, D, YEH, H. Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier 01.04.2008
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; SiO2/epoxy nanocomposite; Deformation; Image processing; Nanoparticle; Epoxy resin; Displacement(deformation); Fracture; Composite material; Edge crack; Crack propagation; Nanometer scale; Crack tip; Nanocomposite; Scanning electron microscopy; Rupture; Speckle; Experimental study; Electron field emission; Fracture toughness; Optical correlation; Silicon oxides; Concentration effect; Property structure relationship; Fractography; Bending test; Macro/microscopic characterization
• ISSN: 1270-9638; 1626-3219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ast.2007.03.005

Macro/microscopic fracture characterizations of the SiO2/epoxy nanocomposite are studied experimentally. Both the load-displacement curve and the static fracture toughness are obtained using a three-point-bending test. Microscopic characterizations of fracture surface in nanocomposites are analyzed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Distribution of displacement field at the initial edge crack tip in nanocomposites is obtained by digital speckle correlation method. Crack propagation characterizations of nanocomposites are described using field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The influence of nanoparticle contents on fracture behavior of nanometer composites is analyzed. The research results will be useful for structure design and fracture properties evaluation of nanocomposites.