Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Reinforced by Hybrid Nanoparticles

Abstract In the present work, the nano-Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), nano-Silicon Carbide (SiC), or a hybrid of them were infused into epoxy resin with an ultrasonic system with various weight percentage ratios of the nanoparticles. Small punch testing (SPT) and indirect tension testing were adopted to measure the tensile properties of the present nanocomposites. Pin-on-ring wear testing was also performed to examine wear performance of epoxy Al2O3 and SiC nanocomposites. The Finite Element Analysis method is introduced to simulate the indirect tension test and SPT to give a complete vision of the stress distribution in the nanocomposite specimen during the loading, and to examine its mode of failure. Good agreement between the numerical and experimental results was observed. The addition of nanoparticles from Al2O3 or SiC improves the wear resistance of epoxy. Furthermore, epoxy with nano-Al2O3 has a higher wear resistance than that with nano-SiC. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of epoxy are reduced by adding the Al2O3 nanoparticle. The synergistic effect is not observed in the present study.