Abstract
Abstract
Recently, nano-materials have received more attention due to their potential application as practical structural and functional materials. The unique mechanical properties of CNTs, especially their high strength and stiffness, make them highly attractive for potential improvement of mechanical properties of structural materials. The aim of this research is to investigate experimentally the effect of coated nano-composite with different concentrations on fatigue life behaviour of carbon steel specimens with 0.3 μm surface finish. Nano-adhesives of epoxy resin are synthesized and evaluated. They are modified by multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) (0.3 wt.- %, 0.5 wt.- %, 0.7 wt.- %) as reinforcement. Fatigue tests are conducted on specimens using a rotating bending machine of the cantilever type to evaluate the fatigue strength and these are compared with them obtained for the neat material. By comparing the results of specimens coated with different concentrations of MWCNT-epoxy composition with the base materials, it is found that 0.5 wt.- % of MWCNT composition is the best selection for specimens having 0.3 μm roughness. As compared to the base materials, the fatigue life increased by 383 %, 785 %, 1239 %, and 800 % by coating with neat epoxy as well as with 0.3 wt.- %, 0.5 wt.- %, and 0.7 wt.- % MWCNT-epoxy, respectively.