Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T14:53:16.922Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Study of Mechanical Responses and Thermal Expansion of CNF-modified Polyester Nanocomposites Processed by Different Mixing Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2011

Muhammad E. Hossain
Affiliation:
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM), Tuskegee University, 101 Chappie James Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088, U.S.A.
Mohammad K. Hossain*
Affiliation:
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM), Tuskegee University, 101 Chappie James Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088, U.S.A.
Mahesh Hosur
Affiliation:
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM), Tuskegee University, 101 Chappie James Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088, U.S.A.
Shaik Jeelani
Affiliation:
Center for Advanced Materials (T-CAM), Tuskegee University, 101 Chappie James Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088, U.S.A.
*
1Corresponding Author
Get access

Abstract

In this study, different dispersion techniques such as sonication at high frequency, mechanical mixing, and magnetic stirring methods were employed to infuse 0.1 to 0.4 wt.% carbon nanofiber (CNF) into polyester matrix to study the influence of CNF on mechanical and thermal properties of the polyester nanocomposites. Dispersion of CNF studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed excellent dispersion of CNF using sonication when 0.2 wt.% CNF was mixed in polyester resulting in enhanced mechanical response. On the other hand, agglomerations were observed in samples prepared with other mixing methods. Polyester with 0.2 wt.% CNF samples prepared by sonication resulted in 88% and 16% increase in flexural strength and modulus, respectively, over neat samples. Quasi-static compression tests showed similar increasing trend with addition of 0.2 wt.% CNF. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed 35% and 5 °C improvement in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg), respectively, in the 0.2 wt.% loaded samples. Thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) performed on neat and samples with 0.2 wt.% CNF showed lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in nanophased sample compared to neat. Fracture morphology evaluated using SEM revealed relatively rougher surface in CNF-loaded polyester compared to neat as a result of better interaction between fiber and matrix due to the presence of CNF.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Rashid, E.S.A., Ariffin, K., Kooi, C.C., and Akil, H.M., Mater. Des. 30, 1(2009).Google Scholar
2. Prolongo, S.G., Buron, M., Gude, M.R., Chaos-Moran, R., Campo, M. and Urena, A., Compos. Sci. Technol. 68, 2722(2008).Google Scholar
3. Rana, S., Alagirusamy, R., and Joshi, M., J. of Appl. Poly. Sci. 118, 2276(2010).Google Scholar
4. He, P., Gao, Y., Lian, J., Wang, L., Qian, D., Zhao, J., Wang, W., Schulz, M. J., Zhou, X. P. and Shi, D., Composites Part A. 37, 1270 (2006).Google Scholar
5. Eskin, G.I., Ultrason. Sonochem. 8, 319(2001); 2, 137(1995); 1, 59(1994).Google Scholar
6. Zheng, Y., and Ning, R., Mater. Lett. 57, 2940(2003).Google Scholar
7. Xu, J., Donohee, J.P., and Pittman, C.U. Jr., Composites Part A. 35, 693(2004).Google Scholar
8. Pramoda, K.P., Linh, N.T.T., Tang, P.S., Tjiu, W.C., Goh, S.H., and He, C.B., Comp. Sci. Technol. 70, 578(2010).Google Scholar
9. Tognana, S., Salgueiro, W., Somoza, A., Pomarico, J.A. and Ranea-Sandoval, H.F., Mater. Sci. Eng. 157, 26(2003).Google Scholar
10. Mahfuz, H., Das, D., Powell, F., and Granata, R., Proceedings of the SAMPE ’10 International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, Seattle, WA, USA, May 17-20, 2010.Google Scholar
11. www.uscomposites.com/solvents.html (Browse date June 11, 2010).Google Scholar
12. Sakin, R., Ay, I., and Yaman, R., Mater. Des. 29, 212(2008).Google Scholar
13. Li, X.F., Lau, K.T., and Yin, Y.S., Compos. Sci. Technol. 68, 2876(2008).Google Scholar