Silane Grafted Cellulose and Biosilica Toughened Glass-Epoxy Composite: Mechanical, Hydrophobicity and Low Velocity Impact Behavior

Abstract

High toughness, impact damage resistance biocompatible glass-epoxy composites were prepared using 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) treated cellulose and biosilica nanoparticle and evaluated for their tensile, flexural, impact, wear and water absorption behavior. The main aim of this present investigation was to improve the strength characteristics and load-bearing effect of glass-epoxy composite using biocompatible fillers and how the surface modification process helps in the improvement of the properties. The cellulose and biosilica particle was surface-treated using (APTMS) via wet solution method. Similarly, the glass-epoxy composites were prepared via the hand layup method followed by room temperature curing. The results revealed that the addition of cellulose particle into the glass-epoxy composite improved the toughness and energy absorption. However, the subsequent addition of biosilica particle improved the mechanical, wear and drop load impact toughness by about 200–300%. It is noted that in all composites the silane treated reinforcements gives improved results of a minimum of 20–50%. The hydrophobicity of composites retained with higher contact angle for silane treated reinforcements in epoxy resin composite. The scanning electron microscopic images revealed uniform dispersion and improved adhesion with matrix for silane treated reinforcements.