Effect of surface‐modification on the dynamic behaviors of fly ash cenospheres filled epoxy composites

An inexpensive fly ash (FA), which is from a waste production, has been used as the filler to prepare the epoxy composites. With the purpose of characterizing the effect of surface-modification on the dynamic behaviors of FA cenospheres/epoxy composites, Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis (FTIR), microstructure observation as well as dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were systematically investigated, respectively. At the same time, the impact toughness was also evaluated by impact property testing. With FTIR analysis, it can be found that the functionalized groups exist on the surface of FA cenospheres. The SEM photographs show that the FA cenosphere particulates with surface-modification are distributed homogeneously and have a good interface bonding with the matrix, and the ruptures occur not in the two phases interface, but in the middle parts of FA cenospheres after impact. In addition, DMA indicates that the composite filled with surface-modified FA cenospheres has a wider glass transition temperature region and a higher loss factor, and its relatively higher impact toughness can also be revealed through impact property test. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers