Low velocity impact properties of nanoparticulate syntactic foams

The low velocity impact response of nanoparticulate syntactic foams is studied. Nanoparticulate syntactic foams are prepared by mixing nanoclay in low density syntactic foams composed of glass microballoons and epoxy matrix. The volume percentage of microballoons is maintained at 60% while the nanoclay concentrations in the composite are set at 1%, 2% and 5% so that the density of the composite does not increase significantly. The impact test results show that the maximum load bearing capacity and initiation energy is obtained when 1% nanoclay volume fraction is incorporated. The SEM images also reveal the effect of incorporation of nanoclay on the fracture behavior of syntactic foam. Two types of microballoons are used to investigate the effect of radius ratio on the impact resistance of fabricated syntactic foams. The syntactic foam having higher wall thickness microballoons has shown more impact resistance. This work has demonstrated the possibility of achieving higher impact properties in syntactic foam without significant increase in density.