Study On The Improvements Of The Nano-materials To The Epoxy Resin

This paper reinforced epoxy resin (Epoxy) by multi-walled carbonnano-tubes (MWCNTs) and nano-alumina (nano-Al₂O₃). Thenano-material/Epoxy composites (MWCNTs/Epoxy composite andnano-Al₂O₃/Epoxy composite) were prepared with in situ method. Theexperiments and observations showed:When 10wt% α-nano-Al₂O₃ was filled into the Epoxy, the composite'swear resistance and bond strength were improved to 158.0% and 144.1%separately.When 8wt% γ-nano-Al₂O₃ was filled into the Epoxy, the composite'swear resistance was improved to 260.0%. When 3wt% γ-nano-Al₂O₃ was filled,the composite's bond strength was improved to 209.2%. The composite hadthe best wear resistance when cured at 100℃.When 5wt% rude MWCNTs was filled into the Epoxy, the composite'swear resistance and tensile strength were improved to 214.1% and 228.9%separately. When 0.5wt% rude MWCNTs was filled, the composite's elasticmodulus and breaking elongation were improved to 187.1% and 133.5%separately.When 5wt% acidified MWCNTs was filled into the Epoxy, thecomposite's wear resistance, tensile strength and elastic modulus wereimproved to 272.5%, 303.3% and 226.6% separately. When 1wt% rudeMWCNTs was filled, the composite's breaking elongation was improved to158.7%. When 0.5wt% rude MWCNTs was filled, the composite's bondstrength was improved to 180.0%. The composites were observed withScanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the micro-cracks decreased whencontent of MWCNTs increased.Results showed that both MWCNTs and nano-Al₂O₃ can strength thematrix of the Epoxy. Nano-materials have large specific surface area, so theycan nail in the Epoxy's matrix and act as nodes, which improved thecross-linking structure of the Epoxy. MWCNTs are threadiness and haveinorganic functional group on the surface, so they can absorb themacromolecule chains of the Epoxy matrix. In this way, MWCNTs took partin the formation of the Epoxy and strength the result composite's matrix, thusdetracting the stress concentration. The micro-cracks were then decreased andthe composite's intensity and toughness were improved.