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Abstract

In the present work, the craze formation and crack propagation of nanosilica-filled polycarbonate (PC) in different environments were investigated by using a bent strip test with constant strain and a creep test with static constant stress. The result of bent strip test indicates that crazes or microcracks are formed more easily in isopropanol (IPA) than in air, and the number of crazes increases with increasing particle loading in the matrix. The following three-point bending test shows a clear decrease of flexural properties of samples prebent in IPA compared to samples prebent in air. By creep test under constant loading, the samples tested in toluene fail much earlier than those tested in IPA due to accelerated diffusion of toluene into PC matrix and subsequent formation of macrovoids. The incorporation of nanoparticles in PC significantly improves the lifetime of PC composites in chemical agents due to combined effects of nanoparticles.

Keywords

polycarbonate composites craze formation crack propagation environments.

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Influence of Nanoparticle Loading on Craze Formation and Crack Propagation of Polycarbonate in Different Environments

Abstract

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