Processing of Low-Density HGM-Filled Epoxy–Syntactic Foam Composites with High Specific Properties for Marine Applications

Abstract

A solution casting approach is used to create hollow glass microsphere (HGM)-filled epoxy–syntactic foam composites (e–SFCs) by varying the concentrations of HGM in epoxy according to different particle sizes. Density analysis is used to investigate the impact of concentration and particle size regularity on the microstructure of e-SFCs. It was observed that e–SFCs filled with an HGM of uniform particle sizes exhibit a reduction in density with increasing HGM concentration, whereas e-SFCs filled with heterogeneous sizes of HGM exhibit closeness in density values regardless of HGM concentration. The variation in e–SFC density can be related to HGM packing efficiency within e–SFCs in terms of concentration and particle size regularity. The particle size with lowest true density of 0.5529 g/cm3, experimental density of 0.949 g/cm3 and tensile strength of 55.74 MPa resulted in e-SFCs with highest specific properties of 100.81 (MPa·g/cm3), with a 35.1% increase from the lowest value of 74.64 (MPa·g/cm3) at a true density of 0.7286 g/cm3, experimental density of 0.928 g/cm3 and tensile strength of 54.38 MPa. The e–SFCs’ theoretical density values were obtained. The variance in theoretical and experimental density values provides a thorough grasp of packing efficiency and inter-particle features.

Rational design of high‐performance epoxy/expandable microsphere foam with outstanding mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties

“…31 Together with their distinct differences in densities, the dispersibility of HGM in epoxy matrix is poor. 32 High-speed mixing was needed to alleviate the agglomeration of HGM, but meanwhile, it resulted in the breakage of HGM to a large extent during handling and forming process. 31,32 Expandable microsphere (EMP), due to its unique core/shell structure, is an alternative to HGM as the nontraditional physical blowing agent in the production of epoxy foams.…”

“…32 High-speed mixing was needed to alleviate the agglomeration of HGM, but meanwhile, it resulted in the breakage of HGM to a large extent during handling and forming process. 31,32 Expandable microsphere (EMP), due to its unique core/shell structure, is an alternative to HGM as the nontraditional physical blowing agent in the production of epoxy foams. 33 EMP is composed by spherical thermoplastic shell and low-boiling hydrocarbon core.…”

“…Due to the intrinsic nature of the inorganic and the organic, HGM and epoxy resin are incompatible at the molecular scale 31 . Together with their distinct differences in densities, the dispersibility of HGM in epoxy matrix is poor 32 . High‐speed mixing was needed to alleviate the agglomeration of HGM, but meanwhile, it resulted in the breakage of HGM to a large extent during handling and forming process 31,32 …”

Preparation and Properties of Hollow Glass Microspheres/Dicyclopentadiene Phenol Epoxy Resin Composite Materials

“…Many studies have pointed out the excellent dispersibility and dielectric properties of HGM in epoxy resin systems [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] However, there is no report on the use of HGM to modify epoxy resins cured with ethyl phenylacetate.…”

Preparation and heat resistance of hollow glass microbead/silicone rubber composite coating

“…Hollow glass microspheres (HGM) have the advantages of light weight, non-combustible, extremely stable chemical properties and heat resistance, [10][11][12] low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength, 13 and are often used as inorganic fillers. The application of HGM in the modification of polyethylene, polyamide, and silicone resin has been reported.…”