The Effect of WS2 Nanotubes on the Properties of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites

In this paper we evaluated the effect of embedding inorganic nanotubes (INT) of tungsten disulfide (WS2) in an epoxy matrix, on the mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties of the resulting nanocomposites. The nanotube content spanned a range of values (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%), and the nanotube incorporation process consisted of a combination of both distributive (magnetic stirring) and dispersive (ultrasonic mixing) methods. The adhesion of the nanocomposites to an aluminum substrate was characterized by both a single lap shear and a T-peel test. The fracture toughness (K-IC) of the nanocomposites was characterized by a standard compact tension (CT) plane-strain fracture test. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Overall, the addition of INT-WS2 was found to improve the shear strength and peel properties of the nanocomposite, and to significantly improve its fracture toughness and glass transition temperature. The extent and character of the nanotube-epoxy interaction were examined by electron microscopy, as was the energy dissipation mechanisms during fracture. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011