Epoxy/oil fly ash composites prepared through in situ polymerization: Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties

The utilization of oil fly ash (OFA) as a filler in polymer composites to enhance their strength and flow properties and reduce the cost of fabrication is a promising technique. OFA filled epoxy composites, based on bisphenol-A liquid epoxy, were prepared via in situ co-polymerization with isophorone diamine as a curing agent. In the present work, the possibility of using residual OFA (<30 μm) as filler in epoxy composites was studied using thermal, mechanical, and morphological characterization techniques. The results showed a significant improvement in the performance of epoxy composites containing OFA. In addition, OFA filled epoxy exhibited a higher resistance to degradation in acidic and basic environments when compared to unfilled epoxy. Statistical analysis tools were used to determine the significance of the improvements. It is proposed that up to 4 wt% of OFA can be used in epoxy industrial pipes to improve their corrosive chemical resistance properties without affecting their bulk physical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:512–522, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers