Studies on synthesis and characterization of surface-modified mullite fibre-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. (September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanimozhi, K.; Devaraju, S.; Vengatesan, M. R.; Selvaraj, V.; Alagar, M.
• Is Part Of: High performance polymers. Volume 25:Number 6(2013)
• Page Start: 658
• Page End: 667
• Publication Date: 2013-09
• Subjects: Ceramic–matrix composites (CMCs) -- thermosetting resin -- thermomechanical -- hardness -- contact angle; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1177/0954008313478825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0083

Abstract

The present work describes the development of epoxy composites using varying weight percentages (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%) of glycidyl-functionalized mullite (GM) fibre and diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol-A epoxy resin cured with diamino diphenyl methane. The mullite fibre was synthesized via the sol–gel method and its surface was modified with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The glycidyl functionality in the mullite fibre has been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analyses. The data obtained from the thermal, mechanical, dielectric water absorption studies and contact angle showed that the GM fibre had a significant impact in the resultant epoxy nanocomposites compared to neat epoxy matrix. The molecular level dispersion of mullite fibres into the epoxy matrix was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analyses.