Investigation on Impact and Thermogravimetric Analysis of Aramid and Carbon based Nanocomposites

Abstract

The demand from industrial sector for light weight and high strength materials is ever increasing. Researchers are trying to fulfil the industrial requirements by fabricating tailor-made materials with required properties. The recent developments in the nanotechnology and nanomaterials have opened new doors in the field of nanocomposites. Nanoparticles are the fascinating materials due to their unique mechanical, thermal and structural properties paved the way for exploring its use in various industrial applications. Nanocomposite materials can be fabricated to modify and control the properties via innovative synthetic approaches. Polymeric nanocomposites combine the lightness and low cost manufacturing of polymers with alumina nanoparticles have high performance properties due to interfacial characteristics of individual constituents, being an attractive alternative to heavier metals or expensive ceramics and other materials.Researchers are exploring for the enhancement of the properties such as mechanical properties viz., impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and thermal stability etc. Nanocomposites are fabricated imbedded with alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles in to the binding resin matrix and reinforce materials as Aramid fibre, Carbon fibre, and hybrid of Carbon and Aramid fibres. Nanoparticles of Alumina of less than 30 nm size are dispersed in the matrix during preparation of the composites.Mechanical and structural characterization of polymer nanocomposites with different proportions of nanoparticles, different fibres and also with plain epoxy polymer composite was evaluated. Structural characterisation confirmed the formation of nanocomposites and thermal stability. Mechanical impact test revealed the improved impact resistance of the nanocomposites. The tests established that these nanocomposites exhibited improved properties.