The Effects Of Silica Nanoparticles In Toughened Epoxy Resins And Fiber Reinforced Composites Print On Demand

In order to improve the crack resistance of epoxy resins, either soft, micron size rubber particles or rigid, micron size spheres are commonly added as toughening agents. The toughening mechanisms induced by soft rubber particles and rigid spheres are different. The fracture behavior of toughened epoxy resins usually show a peak or plateau when the fraction of toughening agent reaches certain level. Therefore, epoxy resins modified by the incorporation of two types of toughening agents can be developed known as the hybrid composites with toughness greater than that when only one type toughening agent is used. Recently, a well dispersed, nanometer size silica spheres produced by sol-gel technology have been added into epoxy resin. The toughening behavior of the epoxy-silica nanocomposite (ESNs) is very interesting since it contradicts many conventional predictions. Moreover, a significant improvement of fracture behavior has been reported in hybrid epoxy-silica-rubber nanocomposite (HESRNs) when a small amount of nanosilica is used. However the toughening mechanisms in ESNs and HESRNs are not clear. The focus of this study is to understand the effect of nanosilica size as well as the nanosilica dispersion on the toughening behavior in ESNs and HESRNs. In addition, a system of hybrid epoxy-rubber?rubber blends (HERRBs) is developed to further elucidate the role of nanosilica in toughening mechanisms of ESNs, HESRNs.

Epoxy-based composites are used in automotive and aerospace applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, and good resistance to wear and corrosion. This book presents research on epoxy-based composites and their applications. It explains methods of preparing and testing these composites, including the hand lay-up technique, compression molding, and others. This book is useful for industrialists, undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, and scientists.

This chapter discusses the epoxy resins which, thanks to their good and versatile properties, can be considered nowadays the most important class of thermosetting polymers. In particular the chapter first reviews both the epoxy resins commonly available on the market, including a new class of bio-derived epoxy resins, and the most-used curing agents. it then describes the principal characteristics of the epoxy resins and how it is possible to enhance them by adding several fillers to the epoxy system. Finally, the chapter analyzes the main engineering fields in which epoxy resins find application today and their possible future utilization.