Fracture toughness of PA6/POE‐g‐MA/TiO₂ ternary nanocomposites according to the essential work fracture method

Abstract

Polymer‐based nanocomposites can be used in a wide variety of applications in the industrial, electronics, and energy segments. In order to attain the application‐specific properties that are desired, good mechanical and fracture efficiency is frequently required. Polyamide 6 (PA6)/polyethylene octene grafted with maleic anhydride (POE‐g‐MA)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites' fracture characteristics were investigated utilizing the essential work of fracture (EWF) approach in this work. Four levels of POE‐g‐MA (0, 10, 20, and 30 wt%) and three levels of TiO2 (0, 2, and 4 wt%) are therefore utilized. The reliability of the EWF theory is demonstrated via the self‐similarity of the force‐displacement curve and Hill's analysis. Results showed that EWF and non‐essential work of fracture (non‐EWF) were improved by 73% and 54%, respectively, by increasing POE‐g‐MA up to 30 wt%. The improvement of EWF value confirmed the role of POE‐g‐MA as an impact modifier. Nevertheless, by increasing TiO2 up to 4 wt%, EWF, and non‐EWF decrease by 20% and 25%, respectively. Adding 30 wt% POE‐g‐MA reduced tensile strength and enhanced strain at the break by 45% and 109%, respectively. Moreover, the tensile strength was enhanced up to 10% by adding 4 wt% of TiO2 content. However, the strain at break was decreased by 44% by increasing 4 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticle. In addition, the dominant fracture mechanism in polyamide‐based blends and nanocomposites is shear‐yielding and fibrillation structures.

An experimental investigation of the tensile, fracture and microstructural characteristics of ABS/SBS reinforced with HNTs

“…The smooth fracture surface and low roughness of ABS performed as predicted, and there were no indications of plastic deformation. These properties are in line with the low values of w e and βw p for ABS 27,45 . In contrast, the compositions including SBS exhibit a rather uneven fracture surface, which suggests a ductile fracture 39 …”

“…Also, stable crack propagation guarantees that the failure process will be the same regardless of the ligament length 44 . If the crack growth is completely unstable, then the data of the EWF tests are not valid 45 . Finally, in Step 6, after a sharp decrease in the amount of load, due to the overlapping of the cracks propagations in the middle of the ligament area, then the specimen failed.…”

“…On the broken ligament, there were no traces of stress whitening. This characteristic indicates the polymer's brittle failure 45 …”

“…This characteristic indicates the polymer's brittle failure. 45 F I G U R E 9 SEM photos of the fractured surface of (A-C) AS30H3.…”

“…These properties are in line with the low values of w e and βw p for ABS. 27,45 In contrast, the compositions including SBS exhibit a rather uneven fracture surface, which suggests a ductile fracture. 39 Figure 8 shows that the rigid and brittle ABS matrix exhibits signs of plastic deformation when 15 wt% of SBS is added.…”