The Physical-Mechanical Properties in Aggressive Media of Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Waste Glass Materials

Abstract

The world is evolving toward extending the life of commodities and decreasing waste by recycling. The purpose of this study is to improve resistance of epoxy against the corrosive conditions by reinforcing it with available chemically resistant and low cost materials. Selection of Glass wastes to reinforce epoxy with 50% by weight. Preparation of four sets of samples for this purpose, two sets of samples make and cure at room temperature, while the others cure at 50°C for two hours. Each set make up of both reinforced and unreinforced epoxy. Immersion of these samples in different environment (Water, NaOH, HCl, Benzene and Kerosene) to find out the resistance of the epoxy after reinforcing. After immersion for six months, it is found that the composite seems more resistance compared to matrix material alone. Composites reinforced by glass particles show an increase in mechanical properties when compared to elegant epoxy resin. Density, Vickers hardness and Modulus of elasticity values increased by (31%, 67% and 62%) respectively for composite at room temperature. Improvement of the resistance after the post curing of unreinforced and reinforced epoxy. The solutions that have highest effect for unreinforced samples at room temperature are (HCl and Water). This indicates that epoxy acquire resistance after reinforcing with glass waste which enables it to be utilize in different applications.