Influence of Nano‐Calcium Carbonate Particles on the Moisture Absorption and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposite

• Published in: Advances in polymer technology Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 1022 - 1027
• Main Authors: He, Hongwei, Yang, Jingjing, Huang, Wei, Cheng, Muhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Absorption; Calcium carbonate; Composites; Diffusion rate; Epoxy resins; Mechanical properties; Moisture; Moisture absorption; Molecular chains; Nanocomposites; Nano‐calcium carbonate; Polymer matrix composites
• ISSN: 0730-6679; 1098-2329
• DOI: 10.1002/adv.21751

The moisture absorption and diffusion characteristics of epoxy‐based nanocomposites containing nano‐calcium carbonate (nano‐CaCO3) are investigated. Although the moisture absorption decreased with increasing nano‐CaCO3 content except for 8 wt%, the moisture absorption and diffusion behaviors were different from each other. It was found that the incorporation of 2 wt% and 4 wt% nano‐CaCO3 decreased moisture absorption capacity effectively. This is due to the more uniform distribution of nano‐CaCO3 particles, which created a longer diffusion path of moisture molecules in the nanocomposites. For the diffusion rate of moisture, there is no significant change observed on adding nano‐CaCO3. The effect of moisture absorption on the mechanical properties of nano‐CaCO3‐filled epoxy nanocomposites were investigated as a functional property of nano‐CaCO3 content. Due to moisture absorption, the flexural strength of epoxy/nano‐CaCO3 composites significantly impaired when compared to dry nanocomposites. However, the effect of nano‐CaCO3 on these mechanical properties was found to be positive, which allows the application of modified epoxy resin in high‐humidity environments.