To improve interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber–modified nano-SiC–epoxy composites using dispersion and wetting control

Significant improvements in mechanical properties (particularly stiffness) result from the appropriate addition of micro-carbon fibers in the nano and heterostructures of modified nano-SiC-filled epoxy matrix composites. The optimum dispersion conditions were found to be significantly dependent upon both the amount of nano-SiC filler and the sonication time. To investigate these dispersion effects, composites were fabricated with five different nano-SiC filler concentrations and compared to the untreated composite. Changes in electrical capacitance were used as a measure of the comparative degree of dispersion in these nano-SiC–epoxy composites. FE-SEM was used to observe the interfacial changes for the different surface conditions, and the mechanical damage was evaluated by inspection of fractured surfaces. Optimal conditions of dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and aspect ratio of the modified nano-SiC fillers were found to improve the composites’ mechanical properties.