Characterization of mechanical behavior of UV cured urethane acrylate nanocomposite films loaded with silane treated nanosilica by the aid of nanoindentation and nanoscratch experiments

• Dispersion of pristine and silane treated nanosilica in UV curable resins.
• Film formation of nanocomposites under UV radiation onto polycarbonate.
• Investigating the abrasion, scratch and indentation behavior of nanocomposite films.
• Discussing mechanical attributes from macro and nanoscale tests to the mechanism of deformation under loading.

This work describes the mechanical behavior of different nanocomposite films containing non-treated and silane treated nanosilica loaded into a UV cured urethane acrylate resin. Nanoindentation, nanoscratch, micro-hardness and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were utilized to assess the coatings. It was demonstrated that the surface treated nanoparticles had stronger interfacial interaction with the polymeric matrix and had improved storage modulus. Nanoindentation and microindentation results suggested that a homogenous reinforced structure was formed in the bulk and surface of hybrid coatings filled with treated nanosilica. This resulted in films with high abrasion resistance.

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