Structure and mechanical properties of composites with diamond particles dispersed into modified epoxy matrix

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2007-04, Vol.16 (4), p.974-977
• Main Authors: Monteiro, Sergio Neves, de Menezes, Gustavo Wagner, Bobrovnitchii, Guerold Sergeivitchi, Skury, Ana Lucia Dieges, Rodriguez, Ruben Jesus Sanchez, d'Almeida, José Roberto Moraes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composites; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diamond crystal; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Interface characterization; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties; Mechanical properties characterization; Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic; Physics; Specific materials; Structure and morphology; thickness; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2006.12.003

The structure and properties of epoxy matrix composites embedded with up to 30 wt.% of diamond particles were investigated by means of thermal analysis, mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy, SEM. In particular, the effect of matrix deformability on the composite performance was evaluated by changing the epoxy monomer to hardener ratio. The results showed that the dynamic mechanical parameters improved with the amount of diamond particles and are markedly affected by modifications in the epoxy matrix. By contrast, the quasi-static mechanical properties decrease with the amount of diamond, which could be explained by SEM analysis. This behavior was attributed to the development of a weak diamond/epoxy interface and corroborated by the analysis of the fracture surfaces as well as the variation of the dynamic mechanical parameters for the investigated conditions.