High-speed impact and mechanical strength of ZrO 2 /polycarbonate nanocomposite

This study empirically investigates the mechanical strength and high-speed impact resistance of polycarbonate matrix reinforced with different amounts of nano-ZrO₂. In order to enhance the mechanical strength of polycarbonate, especially the impact resistance, the nanoparticles were added to polycarbonate matrix as filler with the ratios of 1, 2, 3 and 5% of the composite’s total weight. Transmission electron microscope was utilized for the observation of microscopic structure of the composites, and it revealed an exceptional homogeneous mixture of ZrO₂ particles in the polycarbonate matrix. From the results of the tests, it was figured out that adding 1–3 wt% of nano-ZrO₂ into polycarbonate remarkably increased the impact resistance of the composite. The results also showed that adding 1 and 2 wt% of nano-ZrO₂ to polycarbonate had the most desirable effects on the enhancement of tensile, bending and buckling strength; however, the composites with 3 wt% of nano-ZrO₂ had the greatest Izod impact and high-velocity impact resistance. Finally for the impact tests, it was revealed that adding large amounts of nano-ZrO₂ (more than 3 wt%) would decrease the mechanical strength of ZrO₂/polycarbonate nanocomposite specimens; thus, the fracture occurred, while less energy was absorbed compared with the neat polymer.