preparation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy/silica nanocomposites

The most recent studies have shown, due to high specific strength, and modulus, low density, low fabrication cost, and easy production processes, the raw material used is polymer. Thermosets are the most studied polymers during recent researches, they generally have higher chemical and thermal resistance than thermoplastics. Despite theseimportantadvantages, there are also some disadvantages, the most important imperfection of thermosetting polymers is their brittleness. In this study Epoxy/(up to 1.5 wt%)silica nanocomposites fabricated by casting method and then mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites are evaluated and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was implemented to study molecular bonding . Mechanical tests results showed 43%, 12% and, 40 % increase in strength, flexural strength and, toughness, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis results showed 22% decrease in Reduction of mass and Dynamic mechanical analysis results illustrated an increase in Glass transition temperature of Epoxy/0.3 wt% nanosilica from 74.5 ◦C to 75.4 ◦C, and an increase in storage modulus from 1.8Gpa to 2.3Gpa at 30◦C.