Study of matrix micro-cracking in nano clay and acrylic tri-block-copolymer modified epoxy/basalt fiber-reinforced pressure-retaining structures

Abstract

Abstract. In fiber-reinforced polymer pressure-retaining structures, such as pipes and vessels, micro-level failure commonly causes fluid permeation due to matrix cracking. This study explores the effect of nano-reinforcements on matrix cracking in filament-wound basalt fiber/epoxy composite structures. The microstructure and mechanical properties of bulk epoxy nanocomposites and hybrid fiber-reinforced composite pipes modified with acrylic tri-block-copolymer and organophilic layered silicate clay were investigated. In cured epoxy, the tri-block-copolymer phase separated into disordered spherical micelle inclusions; an exfoliated and intercalated structure was observed for the nano-clay. Block-copolymer addition significantly enhanced epoxy fracture toughness by a mechanism of particle cavitation and matrix shear yielding, whereas toughness remained unchanged in nano-clay filled nanocomposites due to the occurrence of lower energy resistance phenomena such as crack deflection and branching.Tensile stiffness increased with nano-clay content, while it decreased slightly for block-copolymer modified epoxy. Composite pipes modified with either the organic and inorganic nanoparticles exhibited moderate improvements in leakage failure strain (i.e. matrix cracking strain); however, reductions in functional and structural failure strength were observed.

The overall effect of reactive rubber nanoparticles and nano clay on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin

“…In these systems, the fracture toughness can be increased by forming multiphase morphology with the ability to initiate various toughening mechanisms during crack growth (Bashar, Sundararaj, & Mertiny, 2011).…”

Investigation of Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Kevlar/E-Glass and Basalt/E-Glass Reinforced Hybrid Composites

“…Though, epoxies are used as insulators in electrical machineries, switchgears and transformers [10].…”

Morphology and mechanical properties of nanostructured acrylic tri-block-copolymer modified epoxy

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that nanostructured block-copolymers can be an attractive alternative to the conventional micro-particles. Self-assembling amphiphilic block-copolymers provide a highly efficient way of improving epoxy toughness with a relatively low amount of additive loading [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Typically, block-copolymers are distinct and chemically dissimilar polymer blocks linked together by covalent bonds.…”