The effect of silicon carbide nanoparticles on the multifunctionality of epoxy polymers and CFRPs

In this work the effect of silicon carbide nanoparticles (n-SiC) into an epoxy matrix was investigated. High shear mixing techniques combined with sonication methods were used to homogeneously disperse the Silicon Carbide nanoparticles (Nano-SiC) in bisphenol-A epoxy resin at 1% weight fraction. SEM and AFM were used to evaluate the achieved dispersion in the nanopolymer. Mechanical, thermal and dynamic tests were performed to evaluate the nanopolymer and directly compared with the neat resin. On polymer level the produced materials showed improvement in the mechanical properties reaching up to 25% and 30% in Young's modulus and failure stress respectively. The nanopolymer exhibited a more brittle behavior through the decrease of the maximum strain at fracture. The thermal properties of the nanocomposite were highly affected leading to an enhancement of the thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity of the material. Meanwhile the glass transition temperature increased up to 28% as measured through DMA tests. The aforementioned material was used as the matrix material in order to produce carbon fibre reinforced panel. The improved properties of the nanopolymer have enhanced the fracture properties of the composite material as the dispersed nanospheres can work as arrestors/deflectors of the propagating cracks through the composite.