Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Lacy, Thomas E.
Committee Member
Toghiani, Hossein
Committee Member
Pittman, Charles U., Jr.
Date of Degree
5-1-2010
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Name
Master of Science
College
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Department
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
The effects of material/fabrication parameters on vapor-grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) reinforced vinyl ester (VE) nanocomposite flexural moduli and strengths were investigated. Statistically reliable empirical response surface models were developed to quantify the effects of VGCNF type, use of dispersing agent, mixing method, and VGCNF loading on flexural properties. Optimal nanocomposite formulation and processing (0.74 phr oxidized VGCNFs, dispersing agent, and high-shear mixing) resulted in predicted flexural modulus and strength values 1.18 and 1.26 times those of the neat resin. Additional flexural, tensile, and compressive tests were performed for optimally configured nanocomposites cured in a nitrogen environment. While flexural and tensile moduli significantly increased with increasing VGCNF loading, the corresponding strengths fell below those of the neat resin. In contrast, nanocomposite ultimate compressive strengths significantly exceeded the neat resin strengths. Nanocomposites prepared using aggressive high-shear mixing displayed improved elastic moduli and substantially increased strengths relative to nanocomposites prepared using baseline methods.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20557
Recommended Citation
Lee, Juhyeong, "The Effect of Material and Processing on the Mechanical Response of Vapor-Grown Carbon Nanofiber/Vinyl Ester Composites" (2010). Theses and Dissertations. 4357.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/4357