Improving the mechanical properties of p‐aramid fabrics and composites by developing ZnO nanostructures

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures have been grown on p‐aramid (Kevlar) fabric to improve interfacial properties of reinforced composites. Whiskerization technique was adopted to develop ZnO nanostructures, like an array of whiskers, on the surface of Kevlar fabric. Hydrothermal process was used which involves three steps i.e. functionalization, seed layer formation and growth of nanorods. Hexamethylenetetramine and zinc nitrate were used to grow ZnO nanostructures. It was found that pressure controlled autoclave was the best method for generation of nanostructures. It was also observed that the material (fabric) to solution ratio (M:S) significantly affected the morphology and density of developed nanostructures. Incorporation of ZnO nanostructures on Kevlar fabric improved the tensile and impact properties of Kevlar fabric and its composites. The deposition of nanostructures improved the interfacial properties by causing fibers to interlock with matrix thus allowing the formation of a graded interface between the two phases. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3300–3306, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Functionalization of silica particles to tune the impact resistance of shear thickening fluid treated aramid fabrics

“…The impact resistance performance of untreated and STFtreated Kevlar fabrics was evaluated by a Falling Dart Type Impact Resistance Tester (CEAST, Model: FRACTOVIS PLUS, Italy) following the ASTM D 3763 method. 32 The fabric sample size was 160 mm  160 mm. The fabric samples were kept in between two circular sample holders with an inner diameter of 76 mm.…”

Coating of ZnO Nanoparticle on Cotton Fabric to Create a Functional Textile with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

“…Due to these excellent properties of ZnO nanoparticles, much effort has been directed to the fabrication of ZnO with interesting morphologies and assemblies [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Furthermore, various methods are also used to apply ZnO nanostructures on textile materials, such as the hydrothermal route [ 27 ], ultrasonic irradiation technique, layer-by-layer deposition, pad-dry procedure, and sol–gel process [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Deposition Time and Annealing Effects of ZnO Seed Layer on Enhancing Vertical Alignment of Piezoelectric ZnO Nanowires

“…Hydrothermal synthesis has many merits that can allow the production of uniform and well distributed ZnO NW arrays. Moreover, the diversity of materials into which ZnO NWs can be incorporated and on which they can be grown addresses challenges in multiple technological domains, such as the military, with the improvement of Kevlar and composite fabrics [14], as well as health care and environmental applications with the development of multifunctional wearable sensors [15]. In this regard, our research group has reported a hydrothermal process for producing arrays of ZnO NWs on conductive substrates below 100 • C [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].In addition, the seed layer is very important for the growth of high quality ZnO NWs, and plays a remarkable role in their properties [18,23,24].…”