Session: 01-06-02: Impact, Fatigue, Damage and Fracture of Composite Structures 2

Paper Number: 152468

152468 - Evaluation of Temperature-Dependent Mechanical Properties of HNT And Rubber Reinforced Epoxy Composites 

Polymers have a wide range of uses in different temperature conditions, and these areas vary depending on the properties of the polymers, such as glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point, thermal resistance and resistance to environmental conditions. Polymers used at low, medium and high temperatures are preferred in different areas according to their thermal properties.

Applications requiring high performance include aerospace, automotive, and electronics. In aerospace applications, high-temperature-resistant polymers are used in aircraft engine parts. In the automotive sector, high-temperature and friction-resistant polymers are used in engine compartments and fuel lines. Polymers resistant to high temperatures play an important role in electronics, such as electronic circuits and insulation materials.

The temperature-based usage areas of polymers vary depending on their thermal stability and mechanical durability. While polymers that maintain their flexibility at low temperatures are used in cryogenic and outdoor applications, polymers that remain stable at high temperatures are preferred in challenging industrial areas such as automotive, aviation and electronics. The material selection should be made according to the temperature range required by the application.

The transition region of polymers from ductility to brittleness, depending on temperature, is usually associated with the Tg. Tg is the critical temperature at which a polymer changes from a ductile rubber-like state to a stiff and brittle glass-like state. Polymers tend to be stiffer and brittle at low temperatures because molecular motion is limited, and the polymer chains remain in a fixed position, preventing a flexible response to external forces. At high temperatures, polymers become more ductile because the polymer chains can move and the material can stretch; this provides more deformation and impacts energy absorption. The mechanical properties of polymers are shaped according to these temperatures. In addition, composite materials can be formed with various additives by using polymeric materials as matrices, and these materials are called polymer matrix composite materials. The aim here is to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the pure polymeric material.

In this context, the aim of this study is to investigate the behaviour of polymer matrix composite materials under temperature. Epoxy is selected as the matrix material that forms the composite material. By adding HNT reinforcement and rubber reinforcement to the epoxy matrix, the changes in the mechanical properties of the composite material are investigated together with these reinforcements. In addition, the synergetic effect is investigated by using HNT and rubber materials together. With the experimental studies in this study, the changes in the storage modulus, loss modulus and tan-delta properties of the manufactured composite materials are investigated according to both temperature and inclusion type using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and following ASTM D7028-07 standard.

Presenting Author: İnci Pir Istanbul Technical University

Presenting Author Biography: İnci Pir graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering (Double Major Program) at Istanbul Technical University with B.Sc. degree. İnci got her M.Sc. degree in Solid Mechanics in 2022 and started her Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the same university. İnci works as a research assistant at the Istanbul Technical University Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2021.