Malkina O., Mahfuz H., Sorge K.D., Rondinone A.J., Chen J., Rangari V.K.
Florida Atlantic University, US
Keywords: composite materials
SC-15 epoxy is used in many industrial applications. It is well known that the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of epoxy can be significantly enhanced when reinforced with nanofillers. In this work, SC-15 epoxy is reinforced by loading with magnetically-active nanofillers and cured in a modest magnetic field. Because of the significant magnetic response of the nanofillers, this is a low cost and relatively easy technique for imposing a strong magnetic anisotropy to the system without the need of a superconducting magnet. It is also found that this method is an effective way of enhancing the mechanical properties of epoxy. Several systems were prepared and studied – a dilute system of various concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in SC-15 epoxy, a combination of Fe2O3 nanoparticles and chemically-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT(COOH)s) in SC-15 epoxy, and a dilute system of SWCNT(COOH)s decorated with Fe3O4 particles through a sonochemical oxidation process in SC-15 epoxy. Samples have an initial cure of 6 hrs in a magnetic field of 10 kOe followed by an additional 24 hrs of post curing at room temperature.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2012: Advanced Materials, CNTs, Particles, Films and Composites (Volume 1)
Published: June 18, 2012
Pages: 105 - 108
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Materials Characterization & Imaging
ISBN: 978-1-4665-6274-5