A comparative study on the thermomechanical and electrical properties of carbide/or graphite/epoxy-reinforced composites

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 142; no. 5; pp. 1649 - 1657
• Main Authors: Gioti, S., Stavropoulos, S. G., Sanida, A., Psarras, G. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Boron carbide; Boron-epoxy composites; Broadband; Calorimetry; Carbides; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Comparative studies; Dielectric properties; Dielectrics; Differential scanning calorimetry; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Dynamic mechanical properties; Electric properties; Electrical conductivity; Electrical properties; Electrical resistivity; Epoxy resins; Fillers; Glass transition temperature; Graphite; Graphite fiber reinforced plastics; Graphite-epoxy composites; Inorganic Chemistry; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Mechanical properties; Microparticles; Morphology; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Storage modulus; Thermal response; Thermomechanical properties; Titanium carbide; Polymer composites; Thermomechanical behavior; Dielectric properties; AC conductivity; Energy storage
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-020-10257-1

Three series of epoxy composite systems were fabricated and tested varying the filler type and content. An epoxy resin was employed as the matrix, while boron carbide (B 4 C), titanium carbide (TiC), and graphite (C) microparticles were the reinforcing phases. The behavior of these systems under the influence of time-varying mechanical stress was investigated via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), while their thermal response was examined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, systems’ morphology was investigated via scanning electron microscopy, whereas their dielectric properties were examined using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Storage modulus, loss tangent, dielectric permittivity, and electrical conductivity were studied with parameters filler type, content, and temperature. Glass transition temperature was also determined using DMA and DSC tests. The present work examines the reinforcing ability of the employed fillers, upon the dynamic mechanical properties as well as on the electrical properties and the energy storing ability of their epoxy composites, which have been prepared under identical filler loadings and fabrication conditions. Moreover, the optimum thermomechanical or electrical performance is determined as a function of the reinforcing phase type and content.