Investigation of low velocity impact response of multi-walled carbon nanotube added alumina/epoxy reinforced nanocomposites
Sezer Picak Ahmet AKDEMİR Ahmet Avcı Yusuf Usta
AbstractThe low-velocity impact response of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) added alumina-epoxy nanocomposites is investigated. Alumina fiber reinforced nanocomposites which contain 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7% and 1% per weight MWCNTs of epoxy resin are produced by using Vacuum Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) method. Three levels of energy which are 20J, 25J and 30J are applied to nanocomposites. The time history response of load, displacement, velocity, and energy are measured and reported. In addition, the composite damage associated with each energy level is compared to different MWCNT per weight. The effect of MWCNTs was analysed on the fracture surface of composites through optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results demonstrated that MWCNTs improved impact response and limited the damage size of nanocomposites. The addition of 1% MWCNTs resulted in an increase in energy absorption.