Abstract
Abstract In this study, bentonite/epoxy sheet molding compound composites (BS/ESMC) were prepared with different bentonite contents (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) by hot compression molding. The effects of BS content on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and fire-retardant properties of samples were investigated. When the BS addition amount is 1.5%, the tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength reach the maximum, increasing by 24.15%, 26.56%, and 51.33%, respectively. The measurement of mechanical properties showed that the fracture toughness of BS/ESMC composite has been greatly improved from 71.41 to 108.07 MPa. As the content of the bentonite increases, the heat resistance of the sample increases, and the residual carbon content of the system increases by 61.54% when the amount of the bentonite added is 10%. In addition, the value of LOI increased from 25.6 to 27.9 with the addition of the bentonite.
Highlights
Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a sheet molding material, which is mainly composed of resin, fiber-reinforced materials, fillers, and various additives
Studies have shown that compared with SMC composites reinforced by CaCO3 particles, basalt particles can effectively bond glass fibers and resin matrix together, thereby the tensile strength increased by approximately 15%, whereas the flexural strength was enhanced by 8% in SMC composites prepared by basalt particles
Compared with ESMC composites reinforced by CaCO3 particles, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and fire-retardant properties of BS-reinforced composites have been significantly improved
Summary
Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a sheet molding material, which is mainly composed of resin, fiber-reinforced materials, fillers, and various additives. The high surface energy of CaCO3 will cause the mechanical properties of the composite to decrease [11]. Kadir and Mahmut [12] studied the reinforcement effect of different particle fillers in SMC composites formed by compression molding. Studies have shown that compared with SMC composites reinforced by CaCO3 particles, basalt particles can effectively bond glass fibers and resin matrix together, thereby the tensile strength increased by approximately 15%, whereas the flexural strength was enhanced by 8% in SMC composites prepared by basalt particles. Some people added magnesium oxychloride crystal double salt to SMC to obtain composite materials with excellent flame retardant properties [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
