Enhancement in structural and mechanical properties of epoxy reinforced with silane-treated titanium dioxide
摘要
Polymer matrix composites (PMCs) hold a prominent position in the materials field due to their exceptional mechanical strength and low weight. Epoxy resins are the PMCs that are most frequently used. By employing fillers, the properties of epoxy resins can be enhanced. In this work, we synthesized titanium dioxide (TiO2) using the solution combustion method and employed it as a filler material. Silane-treated TiO2 creates a better material with enhanced properties of mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, which makes it useful in applications like protective coatings and adhesives. We then investigated the effect of this filler material on the compressive and tensile characteristics of Araldite LY556 slabs by varying the loading of titanium dioxide powder in the epoxy matrix from 0 to 2.5 wt%. The mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites were improved due to the loading of titanium dioxide. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, the dispersion of filler materials in the epoxy matrix has been fully analyzed, and the presence of filler materials in the epoxy matrix has been examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Micromechanical models were also used to investigate the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and modulus curves for the examined polymer composite, which were computed using an analytical model, agreed well with the results obtained from experiments. For tensile strength values, the models that were examined are Nicolais–Narkis, Turcsanyi, Piggot–Leidner, and Nielsen models; for tensile modulus, the models that were reviewed are Halpin–Tsai, Kerner, and Sato–Furukawa models. The stiffness of nanocomposites was also predicted by these micromechanics models. At 2.5 wt% loading of TiO2, the values of compressive and tensile strength have risen by more than 120%.