Mechanical Characteristics of Epoxy Nanocomposite Coatings with Ultradisperse Diamond Particles.

The mechanical characteristics of epoxy nanocomposites with ultradisperse diamond particles as a filler are investigated. It is shown that the addition of the particles of ultradisperse diamond at a concentration of 0.05 part by weight (pt.wt.) per 100 pt.wt. of the epoxy binder, increases the most the bending strength and reduces residual stresses in the composite. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the composite material increases. The chemical activity of the nanofiller particle surface resulting in the enhancement of physical and mechanical properties in the cross-linking of epoxy-based composite materials is determined by IR-spectrum analysis. The fracture surfaces of nanocomposite materials were investigated using optical microscopy. Based on the analysis of the topology of fracture surfaces of nanocomposite materials, it was revealed that the structure is ordered, with no visible inclusions, which is indicative of the maximum degree of cross-linking of composite materials with a concentration of ultradisperse diamond of 0.05 pt.wt. A uniform stress distribution in the volume of the investigated materials is indicative of the thermodynamic equilibrium in systems after cross-linking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]