Mechanical behaviour of epoxy/silica nanocomposites: Experiments and modelling

In the present paper the mechanical behaviour of an epoxy/silica nanocomposite system is analysed, discussing the results from tensile and fracture tests. Moreover a study on the effect of the curing cycle on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites is carried out, considering two different curing conditions. Results indicate that the curing cycle has a significant effect on the overall mechanical behaviour of the nanocomposite. Indeed, while nanomodification always enhances the fracture toughness of the epoxy resin, the strength and the notch strength are shown either to increase or to decrease, depending on the curing process of specimens. Fracture properties are compared to the theoretical predictions based on a multiscale and multimechanism model recently developed by the authors, showing a satisfactory agreement. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.