Mechanical properties of nano-silica and nano-clay composites of phenol formaldehyde short carbon fibers

Abstract

The mechanical properties of phenol formaldehyde (phenolic novolac) and short carbon fiber T300 polymer-based nano-composites-reinforced with nano-silica and nano-clay particles have been studied experimentally. By increasing the weight percentage of the short carbon fiber in the phenol formaldehyde, the strength of the composite increases, but its plastic deformation is severely limited. Also, in the case of composite reinforced with nano-silica particles, the tensile and flexural strength of the composite with the increase in the weight percentage of the nano-silica increase by 1% to 3%, whereas with the nano-clay particles, the tensile and flexural strength of the composite decrease by 1% to 3%. It is composite with 1% weight percentage of the nano-clay particle which has the highest strength in comparison to the other samples. Regardless of the type of corrosive solution, the composite strength decreases significantly over 25 days. However, with an increase in the duration from 25 days to 45 days, a slight change has been observed. The outcomes indicate that the corrosion of PF/CF40% composites and the composite reinforced with silica nanoparticles are higher corrosion rate in acid than in salt solution. In contrast, the nano-clay composite has more corrosion in salt solution. Furthermore, the analysis of the fracture surface of samples done by SEM microscopy shows reduction of the porosity in the case of using nanoparticles.