Modelling of Density and Tensile Strength of Wollastonite-Filled Epoxy Composites

This study examined how well wollastonite-filled epoxy composites might predict their density and tensile properties. Micro-composites of epoxy polymer with different loadings (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 wt.%) of wollastonite (CaSiO3) filler were prepared by the magnetic stirring process. The properties were determined experimentally and modelled using a rule-of-mixture model for density and the Pukanzsky model for tensile strength. Then, the observed densities and tensile strengths were compared to values derived from theoretical models and to values computed using mathematical correlations created with Minitab 17. Over the range of CaSiO3 levels examined, the predictions made by the models are in good agreement with the experimental data.