Effect of functionalized silicon carbide nano‐particles as additive in cross‐linked PVA based composites for vibration damping application

Abstract In this research study, a comprehensive effort has been made to functionalize silicon carbide particles using the acidic oxidation with nitric acid to obtain homogeneous stabilized distribution of activated SiC particles within a polymer matrix, and develop functionalized silicon carbide (f‐SiC) particle reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based cross‐linked composite. After fabrication of functionalized silicon carbide (f‐SiC) particle reinforced polyvinyl alcohol based cross‐linked composite with varying f‐SiC weight percentages of PVA (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) were placed to various investigations. Processed samples are initially examined based by the physical tests (water absorption tests), followed by mechanical test (tensile test) and then micro‐structural tests (scanning electron microscopy). Lastly, thermal tests were also concluded which involved the dynamic mechanical, differential thermal and thermo gravimetric analysis. The cross‐linked polyvinyl alcohol‐based composite with 2 weight % of f‐SiC content is observed to be the superlative of all the compositions under this research study that was confirmed by the mechanical and micro‐structural tests. This composite material shows high storage modulus with visco‐elastic behavior, therefore, the material can be utilized to diminish the transmission of noise, as a shock absorber and vibration isolator.