Toughening Mechanism in Epoxy Resin Modified Recycled Rubber Based Composites Reinforced with Gamma-Alumina, Graphene and CNT

摘要

In this research, low cost devulcanized recycled rubber based composites were designed with fine gamma alumina (d < 5-10 μm) reinforcements containing minor reinforcements such as nano graphene platelets and Carbon Nano Tubes. After determination (in different wt% percentages) of the reinforcements with matrix, a special process was applied to complete successfully the manufacturing of the composites. After that, the relevant toughening mechanisms for the most suitable reinforcements were analyzed in detail for aeronautical engineering applications. For this purpose, certain mechanical and physical properties (ISO 13586:2000, K_(Ic) - Fracture toughness stress intensity factor and G_(Ic)- Critical energy release rate in mode I) have been determined by fracture toughness tests (static 3P bending test with single edge notch specimens, Charpy impact, etc.). Microstructural and fracture surfaces analysis have been carried out by means of Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).