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Thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced by a natural hydrophobic sand
Author(s) -
Sui G.,
Jana S.,
Salehikhojin A.,
Neema S.,
Zhong W. H.,
Chen H.,
Huo Q.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.27321
Subject(s) - composite material , materials science , epoxy , flexural strength , composite number , thermal stability , filler (materials) , thermal conductivity , glass transition , particle (ecology) , polymer , physics , oceanography , quantum mechanics , geology
If a low weight percentage of crude fine fillers can improve properties of polymer materials directly without complicated chemical treatment process involved, it will be significant for many industrial applications. Our previous study indicated that a kind of Cancun natural sand could be an effective filler material for polymer composites. In this current work, the epoxy composites reinforced by this kind of natural sand particles were prepared and thermal and mechanical properties of the composites containing up to 5 wt % of the sand particles were characterized. Results showed that the highest flexural strength appears in the epoxy composite containing 1 wt % sand particles. A damage model was used to interpret the flexural properties, which showed an acceptable agreement with the experimental results. The glass transition temperature, high temperature storage modulus, and dimensional stability of the sand/epoxy composites monotonically increased with the addition of the sand particles. The sand particle/epoxy composites also displayed a noticeable enhancement in thermal conductivity. Theoretical analysis showed that in addition to conduction, other heat transport mechanisms played roles in the improved heat transmission through the composites. As a natural porous micron‐scale material, Cancun sand has the potential for applications in cost‐effective composites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008