The cryogenic thermal expansion and mechanical properties of plasma modified ZrW2O8 reinforced epoxy

In this article, epoxy resin reinforced by negative thermal expansion material, ZrW2O8, was fabricated. The surface modification of ZrW2O8 particles was performed via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. As a result, a thin film was uniformly deposited on the surfaces of the ZrW2O8 particles, leading to an improvement of compatibility and dispersion of ZrW2O8 fillers inside epoxy matrix. Moreover, the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the composite material containing 0–40 vol.% fillers were studied under cryogenic temperatures. The results showed a significant reduction in thermal expansion with increasing ZrW2O8 content. The cryogenic mechanical properties of ZrW2O8/epoxy composites were also investigated, showing the properties were improved by adding ZrW2O8 to certain content. In addition, the mechanical strength and modulus of the composite were observed significantly higher at cryogenic temperature than that at room temperature because of the thermal shrink effect and the frozen epoxy matrix.