Effect of Reactive Diluents and Kaolin on the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin

• Published in: Polymers & polymer composites Vol. 18; no. 9; pp. 503 - 510
• Main Authors: BAKAR, M, SZYMANSKA, J, RUDECKA, J, FITAS, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shrewsbury Rapra 01.01.2010; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK); Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Epoxy resins; Ethers; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Impact strength; Kaolin; Mechanical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Strength of materials; Studies; Technology of polymers; Poland; Clay; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Curing (plastics); Experimental study; Glass transition temperature; Surface treatment; Fracture toughness; Thermal properties; Bending strength; Stress intensity factor; Impact strength; Concentration effect; Kaolin
• ISSN: 0967-3911; 1478-2391
• DOI: 10.1177/096739111001800905

Epoxy resin was modified using phenyl diglycidyl ether (PGE), xylene and kaolin. The impact strength (IS), critical stress intensity factor (K), flexural strength and glass transition temperature (Tg) were evaluated as functions of the modifier content. It was found that the addition of diluents led to a significant reduction of both viscosity and Tg. A three-fold increase of IS was obtained with the addition of 2.5% PGE. Moreover, the addition of 15% PGE resulted in about 145% enhancement of the K C parameter. However, the addition of xylene had no significant effect on these properties. Furthermore, the addition of 10% kaolin to epoxy resin gave compositions with the highest fracture toughness. Maximum K C values were obtained with epoxy hybrid compositions containing 10% kaolin and 2.5% PGE and 10% kaolin and 5% PGE respectively. All tested compositions had higher energy at break than nonmodified epoxy resin. SEM micrographs of fractured surfaces of modified epoxy compositions revealed the presence of plastic deformations, which can be considered as the main source of the mechanical properties enhancement.