Morphology and thermomechanical properties of epoxy composites highly filled with waste bulk molding compounds (BMC)

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The aim of this study was to produce epoxy composites highly filled with waste bulk molding compounds (BMC). The used amount of filler ranged from 30 wt% to 60 wt%. The influence of BMC on the epoxy resin curing process was monitored with the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the chemical structure of composites. The mechanical and thermal properties were examined by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), the Charpy method and the Shore D test. The fracture surface morphology of composites was observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The storage modulus G′ of the epoxy composites with BMC was higher than the reference epoxy sample and significantly dependent on filler content. All investigated materials showed similar values of hardness, but at the same time low values of impact strength. Therefore, obtained composites can be used as low cost coating materials.</jats:p>

Application of waste bulk moulded composite (BMC) as a filler for isotactic polypropylene composites

“…The arithmetic mean of hybrid filler fraction after milling was equal to 10.53 μm. Comprehensive characteristics of the filler including FT-IR analysis was presented in our previous work [22] . Calcium stearate (CaSt) was used as compatibilizer for modification of BMC powder (cBMC).…”

Increasing Impact Strength of a Short Glass Fiber Compression Molded BMC by Shortening Fibers without Change in Equipment

“…Bulk molded compounds (BMCs) are utilized for non-heavy load bearing parts, having advantages over metals in being lightweight, lowering fuel consumption for aircraft and other vehicles to reduce CO 2 emissions, and are also corrosion resistant. BMCs typically contain ~5 to 30 wt.% fiber and are highly filled [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Glass fiber reinforced polymer GFRP-BMCs contain ~5 to 30 mass% chopped fiber about 3 to 13 mm in length [ 1 , 3 , 7 ], and are highly filled with CaCO 3 powder ranging from ~35 to over 50 mass% [ 7 , 8 ], while other fillers can include TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , SiC, Mg(OH) 2 , ZnO, [ 9 ] fumed silica [ 10 ], fly ash [ 5 ], or waste thermosetting BMC [ 2 ], to name a few [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…The strengthening method is congruent to earlier studies [ 7 , 8 ] of 30 min extended mixture of commercial 6.4 mm fiber length GFRP-BMC paste to shorten glass fibers to 0.44 mm, prior to injection molding [ 7 ]. Nominal fiber length of 6.4 mm was chosen since it was commercially available, whereas the 0.44 mm length was produced by 30 min of mixing [ 2 ]. The 0.44 mm fiber length was determined by measuring several hundred fibers of polished masticated samples by SEM, showing a mean fiber length of 0.44 mm (standard deviation = ± 0.203 mm) [ 1 , 7 ].…”

“…With a 30 min extended mix, it is assumed, in the compression molded samples, that fiber length is reduced to approximately 0.44 mm. The CaCO 3 filler (<1 to ~7 μm) is reported to be unaffected by 30 min extended mixing [ 2 ].…”

Recycled Glass Fibres from Wind Turbines as a Filler for Poly(Vinyl Chloride)

“…One of the ways to recycle thermosetting and chemosetting composite materials with glass fibres is their fragmentation (mechanical recycling). By doing so, a filler is obtained that can be used to modify various materials, including polymer composites [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”