The thermal expansion and tensile properties of nanofiber-ZrW2O8 reinforced epoxy resin nanocomposites

Zirconium tungstate/epoxy ( ZrW2O8/EP) nanocomposites were prepared and their thermal expansion properties were investigated within the temperature range of 4-300 K. Compared to unmodified epoxy resin, zirconium tungstate/epoxy composites lowers the thermal expansion coefficient ( CTEs). The tensile strength was investigated at room temperature ( 300 K) and liquid nitrogen temperature ( 77 K). The fracture surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM). Results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break increases with the increasing ZrW2O8 content. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.