Mode I Fracture Toughness of CNT‐Reinforced PMMA

Abstract

AbstractThe influence of carbon nanotube (CNT) concentration on the fracture toughness of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was examined on single‐edge V‐notched‐beam (SEVNB) specimens. Six groups of SEVNB specimens containing 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8.5 wt% of CNTs and neat PMMA as a reference were tested. First, a notch was introduced into the specimens by a specially made disk whose edge is V‐shaped with a 30∘ angle and a 30 μm tip width. As suggested by an American Society for Testing and Materials Standard for polymers, induction of a natural crack was attempted, without success. Therefore, fracture toughness values were determined with the ‘sharp’ machined notch by means of a calibration formula. These were compared to values obtained using a stress concentration factor and found to differ by less than 3%. The latter calculation takes into account the geometry of the notch. Results showed a decrease in the fracture toughness values with an increase in the CNT concentration. For specimens in which a natural crack was attempted, referred to as a razor‐cut notch, a significant increase in the apparent fracture toughness was observed, as a result of the induced damage.