An efficient hybrid conventional method to fabricate nacre-like bulk nano-laminar composites

Bulk nano-laminar composites were fabricated by a novel technique called Hot-press Assisted Slip Casting (HASC) which combines hot-pressing and slip-casting to improve alignment and volume fraction of the reinforcement. Alumina flakes were used as filler in an epoxy matrix. Microstructure of composites and alignment of flakes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Three point bending test and Vickers hardness test were done for mechanical characterization of composites. Flexural tests on Chevron-notched specimens revealed a high work-of-fracture in the case of the fabricated composites reaching to 254 J/m(2). Fracture surface of three point bending samples were examined by SEM. Main fracture mechanism is debonding of flakes from the matrix. With its high volume fraction (60%) of reinforcement phase and high degree of flake alignment, a nacre-like microstructure was achieved with a relatively efficient cost effective and simple hybrid conventional method. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.