Abstract:
Reinforced composite materials can be found in a very wide range of applications. The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) is by far the most commercially important epoxy resin used to form a polymer matrix. In this study, hybrid materials comprised of inorganic glasses and organic polymers were investigated as potential replacements for DGEBA to improve the thermo-mechanical properties of the composites. An epoxy functionalized silane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), was employed to synthesize organic-inorganic hybrid materials (OIHMs) via a sol-gel process. The oxirane ring in GPTMS was crosslinked by compounds including an aliphatic amine (DETA), amine functionalized silane (AEAPTMS), tertiary amine (DMP-30), and acid anhydride (HHPA). OIHMs derived from di-functional organosilanes, (3-glycidoxypropyl)methyldimethoxysilane (GPDMS) were also synthesized to compare the mechanical properties with OIHMs derived from GPTMS. The OIHMs were then used as polymer matrices to produce fiberglass and basalt fiber reinforced composites in which zeolite, fumed silica, and amine functionalized fumed silica were incorporated in the polymer matrix as reinforcing fillers. DMTA results showed a significant improvement in the thermal stability of composites made from OIHMs. The storage modulus of composites was also increased with filler addition.
