TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparison of structural health assessment capabilities in epoxy – carbon black and epoxy – carbon nanotube nanocomposites
AU - Inam, Fawad
AU - Bhat, Badekai Ramachandra
AU - Luhyna, Nataliia
AU - Vo, Thuc
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - A novel method for comparing structural health of different types of brittle epoxy nanocomposites filled with carbon nanostructured fillers is presented. Epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon black (CB) and epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite bars were prepared by calendering and thermal curing. Nanocomposite bars were subjected to Vickers diamond indentation to produce sub-surface damage. Electrical conductivities were analysed by 4-point method to estimate the structural damage caused by indentation. For comprehensive comparison, fracture toughness and percolation threshold were analysed as well. Because of the systematically induced indentation damage, a sharp decrease of 89% was observed in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CNT nanocomposite as compared to 25% in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CB nanocomposite. CNTs impart superior damage sensing capability in brittle nanocomposite structures, in comparison to CB, due to their high aspect ratio (fibrous nature) and high electrical conductivity.
AB - A novel method for comparing structural health of different types of brittle epoxy nanocomposites filled with carbon nanostructured fillers is presented. Epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon black (CB) and epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite bars were prepared by calendering and thermal curing. Nanocomposite bars were subjected to Vickers diamond indentation to produce sub-surface damage. Electrical conductivities were analysed by 4-point method to estimate the structural damage caused by indentation. For comprehensive comparison, fracture toughness and percolation threshold were analysed as well. Because of the systematically induced indentation damage, a sharp decrease of 89% was observed in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CNT nanocomposite as compared to 25% in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CB nanocomposite. CNTs impart superior damage sensing capability in brittle nanocomposite structures, in comparison to CB, due to their high aspect ratio (fibrous nature) and high electrical conductivity.
UR - http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0004710&mi=c
U2 - 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2014.7
DO - 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2014.7
M3 - Article
VL - 8
SP - 55
EP - 61
JO - Express Polymer Letters
JF - Express Polymer Letters
SN - 1788-618X
IS - 1
ER -