The effect of silica microparticles and maleic anhydride on the physic-mechanical properties of epoxy matrix phase

Abstract

Thermoset polymers, especially epoxy resin, have been applied in several industrial applications in which high stiffness and adhesive strength are demanded. On the other hand, epoxy resin is rather brittle and has poor fracture toughness. For this reason, the addition of fibres/particles into thermoset polymer can be used to enhance strength and toughness for several structural applications. This work investigated the addition of silica microparticles and maleic anhydride (as a coupling agent between the phases) into epoxy resin, which will be used as the matrix phase of hybrid biocomposites. A full factorial design was conducted to evaluate the effect of silica microparticles and chemical additive into the epoxy matrix under compressive loadings. Apparent density was also evaluated. Experimental factors such as weight fraction of silica microparticles (0, 20, and 33.3 wt%) and weight fraction of maleic anhydride (0 and 2 wt%) were investigated. The statistical analysis revealed that the main factors 'chemical additive' and 'silica addition' significantly affected the compressive modulus of the composites.

Recycled Green PE Composites Reinforced with Woven and Randomly Arranged Sisal Fibres Processed by Hot Compression Moulding

“…Sisal fibres have several hydroxyl groups in their chemical structure with a hydrophilic nature, and HDPE has also a hydrophobic nature, which negatively influences the load transfer between phases (Fig. 11), and neither fibres nor HDPE had been subjected to chemical treatment to improve the compatibilities and consequently the improvement of the mechanical properties, reaffirming the weak interfacial bond (Silva et al, 2013).…”