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. 2020 Nov 24;13(23):5310.
doi: 10.3390/ma13235310.

Physico-Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Epoxy Adhesives Modified by Microsilica and Sonication Process

Andrzej Szewczak  1 , Maciej Szeląg  1
Affiliations

Physico-Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Epoxy Adhesives Modified by Microsilica and Sonication Process

Andrzej Szewczak et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

Industrial waste from the production of metallic silicon and silicon-iron alloys, which includes silica fumes (microsilica), is subject to numerous applications aiming at its reuse in concrete and polymeric composites. Recycling solves the problem of their storage and adverse environmental impact. Six different formulas of epoxy resins were tested, differing in the type of polymer, the mixing process (sonication or not) and the presence of microsilica. The study showed that microsilica added to the epoxy resin changes its viscosity and free surface energy, and these are the parameters that determine the adhesion of the polymer to the concrete surface. Strength tests and SEM analysis have determined how microsilica molecules can penetrate the structure of polymer macromolecules by filling and forming temporary chemical bonds. Mixing the fillers with the adhesive was achieved by using a sonication process. The analysis of the obtained results showed that, depending on the initial composition of the polymer, the addition of microsilica can change the chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the hardened adhesive to varying degrees. In the case of adhesives used in the construction industry to strengthen and glue structural elements, these changes significantly affect the durability of the adhesive joints.

Keywords: epoxy resins; microsilica; sonication; strength parameters; surface free energy; viscosity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Using the ARAMIS system for the determination of mechanical parameters: (a) image of the specimen in the system; (b) specimen with the pattern applied.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Viscosity and temperature of resins as a function of time, from the moment the sonicator was turned off: (a) ER53/S; (b) ER53/S/M; (c) ER430/S; (d) ER430/S/M.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Temperature drop of individual resin series after the sonication process.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Surface free energy (SFE) for individual resin series, including the percentage of dispersive component (D) and polar component (P).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Results of the mechanical properties of individual resin series: (a) the HV10 surface hardness; (b) the uniaxial tensile strength; error bars indicate the standard deviation.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Values of mechanical properties of modified epoxy resins: (a) Young’s module; (b) Poisson’s number; error bars indicate standard deviation.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Morphology of the fracture surface of modified epoxy resins: (a) ER53; (b) ER53/S; (c) ER53/S/M; (d) ER430; (e) ER430/S; (f) ER430/S/M.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Morphology of the fracture surface of modified epoxy resins: (a) ER53; (b) ER53/S; (c) ER53/S/M; (d) ER430; (e) ER430/S; (f) ER430/S/M.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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