Dynamic compressive response and failure behavior of fiber polymer composites embedded with tetra-needle-like ZnO nanowhiskers

Glass fiber polymer composites embedded with tetra-needle-like zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowhiskers were prepared. The prepared composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties after the effective dispersion of ZnO nanowhiskers in the resin. The static and dynamic compressive properties of the composites were tested in the thickness and in-plane directions. The macro- and microfracture morphologies of the damaged specimens were obtained by using a scanning electron microscope. The results show that the compressive properties of the composites could be significantly affected by strain rates. As the strain rate increases, the composites have a higher strength. The compressive properties of the composites are affected by the content of ZnO nanowhiskers in the resin. The high strength of the composites can be attributed to the three-dimensional structures of ZnO nanowhiskers and the corresponding stress transfer. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.