Influence of ultrafine silicon carbide powders on the properties of epoxy resin

Abstract The article reflects the results of studies on influence of ultrafine silicon carbide powders on the properties of epoxy resin. It gives theoretical justification of possible effects of introduction of dispersed particles to the amount of resin. The description of the research objects and test methods is given. The resin based on the epoxy oligomer ED-20 and isomethyl-tetrahydrohthalic anhydride (iso-MTGFA) was chosen as a hardening agent. The modifying additive of silicon carbide was used in a powder form, where the SiC amount was no less than 94% with the average particle size from 80 to 110 nm and the maximum agglomerate size to 15 mkm. Possibility and effectiveness of use of ultrasonic dispersion of silicon carbide in the amount of resin was analysed. The time of ultrasonic impact 240 minutes was found to provide the sediment dispersing system with a high degree of dispersibility of silicon carbide particles. Studies of compression strength and modulus of elastic in compression and bending of samples with the content SiC from 0 to 5 mass. % showed some changes of the filled epoxy resin. It was experimentally determined that modification by means of silicon carbide with its amount 0,75 mass.% is of practical interest. Enhancing of compression strength of 5 % and modulus of elastic in compression of 16% is observed. Studies of morphological structure of a modified polymer and its behavior under dynamic loads is useful.