Nanocomposites

3Size Effects on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Nano-Reinforced Polymers

Fahmi BEDOUI¹, Adoté Sitou BLIVI¹, Benhui FAN² and Djimédo KONDO³

¹ Université de technologie de Compiègne, Sorbonne University, France

² CentraleSupélec, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

³ Institut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, Sorbonne University, Paris, France

The interaction of particles with the matrix will be quantified at different scales. It should be noted that since the volume fraction of the different samples was kept constant, the effects observed will then be attributed to the effect of size. This effect will be investigated on different aspects – mechanical, physical and thermal – in order to understand the effect of the particle size across the existing scales in the material.

3.1. Size effect on the glass transition temperature

3.1.1. Differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a technique used to study the thermal properties of materials, including glass transition and decomposition temperature.

Figure 3.1. DSC curve of 4%/60 nm nanocomposites

The tests were performed on a DSC Q100 machine with hermetic aluminum crucibles under a nitrogen atmosphere to avoid any reaction with the external environment. The samples, which were previously baked at 40°C, were subjected to two heating cycles. The first cycle, which goes from –50°C to 200°C ...