Effects of bivalve shell particles of hyriopsis cumingii on the performances of epoxy resin studied by positron annihilation

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 109; no. 6; pp. 3932 - 3937
• Main Authors: Sun, Xudong, Zeng, Minfeng, Wang, Yun, Ji, Genzhong, Yao, Xiandong, Shen, Yongmiao, Chen, Ning, Yan, Fengyuan, Wang, Baoyi, Qi3, Chenze
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.09.2008; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; free volume; Polymer industry, paints, wood; structure-property relations; Technology of polymers; toughness; Mussel; Epoxy resin; Mechanical properties; Free volume; Dispersion reinforced material; Positron annihilation; Experimental study; Composite material; Bending strength; structure-property relations; Bivalvia; Calcium Carbonates; Impact strength; Concentration effect; Invertebrata; Mollusca; toughness
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.28627

Mussel shell particles sized in micrometer level have been prepared with a ball mill. The X-ray powder diffractrometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results proved that the shell particles contained mainly CaCO₃ in the form of aragonite, together with small amount of organic phase. EP modified with shell particles showed a much rougher fracture surface than unfilled EP. The mechanical properties have been improved obviously by adding the shell particles in EP from 1% to 5%. The particle would occupy a number of free volume holes of the EP matrix. This would lead to a decrease in the total free volume concentration of the composites. The particles acted as a bridge to make more molecules interconnected for the good interfacial adhesion, resulting in a reduction of the free volume hole size in the interfacial layers. I₂ reached its highest value when 3% shell particles were added and then decreased as the shellparticles content increased.