Effects of mixed contents of carbon nanoreinforcements on the impact resistance of epoxy-based nanocomposites

The impact behavior of epoxy-based nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nano tube (CNT), carbon nano fiber (CNF) and mixed contents of these nanoparticles was investigated using Izod impact test. The results showed that while the impact strength of nanocomposites containing 1 wt% of CNT and 1 wt% of CNF increased 19% and 13% respectively, addition of mixed contents of these nanofillers (0.5-0.5 wt%) demonstrated higher improvement (21%) in the impact resistance. The trend of the results is explained on the basis of different fracture mechanisms of nanocomposites. Furthermore, the fracture surface of specimens and the dispersion state of nanoenhancers have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs.