Secondary Crack Formation as Fracture Mechanism in Nanocomposites of Epoxy and Fullerene-Like WS2

Abstract

Fullerene-like WS2 (IF-WS2) nanoparticles (NPs) were used as a toughening agent in epoxy nanocomposites. Already 0.5 % IF-WS2 by mass increased the critical energy release rate GIc by 45 % to 62 %. Conicsection-shaped crack lines were observed on the fracture surfaces in some distance to the NPs. Nanomechanical AFM modulus measurements showed, however, no measurable differences between the modulus distribution in the vicinity of the NPs and the bulk epoxy. Possible secondary crack formation at the NPs explains the crack lines nicely. The crack line geometry allows determining the relative velocity of the secondary crack. Topographic AFM showed vertical steps several hundred nanometers high at the crack lines, indicating shear fracture and suggesting the presence of numerous subsurface cracks, which might explain the toughness increase.