Modification of Epoxy Resin with Silicone Rubber and In-situ Generated Alumina Silicates

By : Uma Dharmalingam, Meenakshi Dhanasekaran, Kothandaraman Balasubramanian, Ravichandran Kandasamy

Page No: 333-349

Abstract
In the present work epoxy resin was modified using amine containing liquid silicone rubber (ACS) and in-situ generated alumina silicates. Epoxy resin is a brittle material which is modified by using either an elastomer or filler or combination of the both. Fly ash and Bagasse ash are used as a precursor for the preparation of alumina silicate species (geopolymer) with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solution. The alumina silicates prepared from fly ash or bagasse ash with varying loadings from 5, 10 and 15 weight % was mixed with ACS modified epoxy matrix for further toughening. To improve the dispersion of alumina silicates in ACS modified epoxy resin, a silane - coupling agent Glycidoxyproptrimethoxysilane (GPTS) was added. FTIR spectroscopy, SEM with EDAX, and optical microscopy were used for characterization of fly ash and bagasse ash. The mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of ACS modified epoxy- alumina silicates composites were investigated. Morphological studies revealed that on surface treatment of fly ash or bagasse ash with silane coupling agent improves the dispersion of alumina silicates in ACS modified epoxy composites.

Authors :
Uma Dharmalingam, Meenakshi Dhanasekaran, Kothandaraman Balasubramanian and Ravichandran Kandasamy : Department of Rubber and Plastics Technology, Madras Institute of Technology Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600044.