Inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles and nanotubes of tungsten disulfide as reinforcement of carbon-epoxy composites

Abstract

A possibility was examined to enhance carbon-epoxy laminated composite mechanical properties by introducing a small concentration of reinforcing nanostructures – multi-wall onion-shaped fullerene-like nanoparticles of tungsten disulfide IF-WS₂, and its multi-layer hollow nanotubes, INT-WS₂, both known for their outstanding thermal, chemical, and mechanical resistance. Composite structures were prepared using a unidirectional prepreg of strong carbon fibers and epoxy resin, poly (vinyl butyral) solution in ethanol with ultrasonically dispersed WS₂ nanostructures in it. Particle size analysis has been performed to evaluate the quality of IF-WS₂ nanoparticles. SEM/EDS analysis was applied to observe the nanostructures, their dispersion in the composite, and the fracture zone after mechanical resistance tests of the prepared composite samples. Thorough mechanical tests were performed on a set of specimens with different fiber orientations: tensile test, bending test, and interlaminar shear test. The encouraging results were obtained, indicating that these newly designed light-weight composites are applicable for the automotive and nautical industry, unmanned aerial vehicles, and military aircrafts.

Keywords:

• Fiber reinforced composites
• tungsten disulfide
• inorganic fullerenes
• nanotubes
• carbon fibers
• epoxy resin

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia for the financial support of the research through the Contract No. 451-03-9/2021-14/200325.