Modification of Phenol Novolac Epoxy Resin and Unsaturated Polyester Using Sasobit and Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanocomposites containing phenol novolac epoxy resin (PNER) were modified by unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and then reinforced using sasobit and silica nanoparticles at different filler loadings via a multi-step manufacturing procedure. Afterward, effect of sasobit and silica loadings either on mechanical and thermal properties or on morphology of nanocomposites were examined. Results showed that increase in silica nanoparticles loading can improve both thermal and mechanical properties, but increase in silica loading more than 3 wt% can lead to decrease in the mechanical properties. In this case, addition of sasobit along with silica not only can improve the mechanical and thermal properties but also it can lead to improve in dispersion quality and morphology of nanocomposites. Eventually, with affordable and environmentally friendly materials such as sasobit, either production procedure or the overall quality and properties of nanocomposites can be improved.

Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Activation Energy of Phenol Novolac Epoxy Resin/Unsaturated Polyester at Various Temperatures

“…These effective materials have been widely used in variety of applications in various fields including surface coating, aerospace and marine industries and reinforcement of composites, etc., due to their perfect mechanical, thermal, chemical and adhesive properties. In this regard, some applicable polymeric-based materials, such as phenol novolac epoxy resin modified with unsaturated polyester (PNE/UPS) [1], linear lowdensity-polyethylene (LLDPE) [2], epoxy resin [3][4][5][6][7][8], cresol novolac epoxy resin modified with unsaturated polyester (CNP/UPS) [9] and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [10] were widely used. However, these polymeric matrices are suffering from some serious disadvantages, which among them we can refer to poor resistance to crack propagation, brittleness and low wear resistance [11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…However, these polymeric matrices are suffering from some serious disadvantages, which among them we can refer to poor resistance to crack propagation, brittleness and low wear resistance [11][12][13][14][15]. In order to overcome these kinds of problems, various additives were added to the polymeric system, among which silica nanoparticles showed significant improvement in the mechanical and electrical properties of modified nanocomposites [3,4,9].…”

Silica Nanoparticles/Phenol Novalac Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites via Vacuum Shock Technique: Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Curing Kinetic

“…Reinforced polymeric nanocomposites have attracted considerable attanetion due to their selective applications. Among these reinforced polymeric matrices we can refer to the phenol novolac epoxy resin modified with unsaturated polyester (PNE/UPS) 1 , linear low-density-polyethylene (LLDPE) 2 , epoxy resin [3][4][5][6][7][8] , cresol novolac epoxy resin modified with unsaturated polyester (CNP/UPS) 9 and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 10 .Phenol based resins which can be classified in thermoset group, have a wide range of applications in production of nanocomposites for different purposes. Despite of that, phenol based resins creation is due to aggregation compaction of phenols and aldehydes like formaldehyde and elimination of water sidelong group branch.…”

“…Besides, phenol based resins can resist temperature range more than 300ºC which is a great pros for them. By increase in temperature range, phenol based resins will convert from a thermoplastic and soluble substance to a thermoset, insoluble and immutable form due to crosslink connections formation 4 . In addition, phenol based resins resistance depends on crosslink connection that was formed by formaldehyde in resultant polymer.…”

“…In this case, nanoparticles properties can be improved by appropriate mixing and it is important to achieve a homogenous mixture in order to gain the best results. Besides, this aim can be obtained when silica nanoparticles were well dispersed in polymer matrix and formed cross-link connections 4,13 . In spite of that, curing conditions have to cognize in order to attain these special properties.…”