pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Polymer composites
Poster Presentation
 
 

Improvements in Multifunctional Properties of Epoxy/TiO2 Composites and Coatings

Caldiklioglu Almira (1)*, Bayram Goknur (1), Yilmazer Ulku (1)

(1) Middle East Technical University - Department of Chemical Engineering, 06800 - Ankara - Turkey

Epoxy is one of the most compatible and versatile thermosets available, and commonly used as the polymeric matrix in high performance composites owing to its thermal stability, and mechanical and chemical properties. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of TiO2 addition into epoxy matrix on mechanical, flammability and self-cleaning properties. To obtain homogeneous dispersion of the particles in the matrix, sonication with the use of solvent was applied as a preparation method which can break up the agglomerates by acoustic waves. With the use of this method, composite samples and coatings on glass surfaces having 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 wt.% TiO2 were prepared. Existence of TiO2 particles and their well dispersion in the epoxy matrix can provide increase in stiffness and toughness. Due to this fact, the change in mechanical properties with respect to the filler content was analyzed by performing tensile and impact tests on the composite samples. According to the results, tensile and impact strengths slightly increased with TiO2 amount while elastic modulus had its maximum value at 0.5 wt.% TiO2 loading. The effects of TiO2 addition on flammability of the epoxy resin were also investigated, since the potential char formation of TiO2 particles can limit the thermal conduction in the material. LOI test was applied to bar-shaped composite samples, and it was observed that LOI value of neat epoxy increased with increasing TiO2 content. Furthermore, it was also aimed to enhance the self-cleaning property of the coatings by lowering the surface energy of the coating material or increasing the roughness on the surfaces with TiO2 addition. Based on the surface energy and water contact angle measurements, it was observed that TiO2 incorporation decreased the surface energy of the coatings and resulted in higher contact angle with water indicating increase in hydrophobicity.