Abstract
The processing and characterization of hybrid PMMA resin composites with nano-zirconia (ZrO2) and electrospun polystyrene (PS) polymer fibers were presented in this study. Reinforcement was selected with the intention to tune the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid composite. Surface modification of inorganic particles was performed in order to improve the adhesion of reinforcement to the matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided successful modification of zirconia nanoparticles with 3-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO) and bonding improvement between incompatible inorganic nanoparticles and PMMA matrix. Considerable deagglomeration of nanoparticles in the matrix occurred after the modification has been revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microhardness increased with the concentration of modified nanoparticles, while the fibers were the modifier that lowers hardness and promotes toughness of hybrid composites. Impact test displayed increased absorbed energy after the PS electrospun fibers had been embedded. The optimized composition of the hybrid was determined and a good balance of thermal and mechanical properties was achieved.
Highlights
Composite materials combine the properties of their constituents offering the new material improved properties and enabling the tuning of the properties to fit predefined needs
Characteristic acrylate CH3 vibration of MEMO silane was observed at 1173 cm-1 in the spectrum of modified zirconia
The peak at 1721 cm-1 that is associated with carbonyl stretching band C = O which is present in the silane coupling agent (MEMO) was observed in the spectrums of modified zirconia and the composite [41,42,43]
Summary
Composite materials combine the properties of their constituents offering the new material improved properties and enabling the tuning of the properties to fit predefined needs. Hybrid reinforcement composite systems are created with the aim of improving t physical and mechanical properties by a synergy of two or even more reinforcement types. In the wide area of research, hybrid reinforcements were of different combinations: particles and fibers [1,2,3,4], two different types of particles [5], particles and whiskers [6], two or three types of fibers [7]. The improvement is, in general, better with multiple rather than a single reinforcement type, so that every one of the added reinforcements improves a different material property. One of the reinforcements should be aimed at improving toughness and the other, for example, improving hardness and elastic modulus [8].
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