Synthesis and chemical resistance of aluminum oxide and silicon carbide (1:1) filled Bi-Directional woven E- glass fiber reinforcement epoxy polymer composites

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have better corrosion, chemical and wear resistance, reduced weight of structure etc. due to their properties. It’s application fields include the manufacture of storage tanks for chemicals, pickling and plating tanks, underground fuel storage tanks, chimney stacks and stack liners, pulp washer drums and up-flow tubes, oil and gas carrying pipe line systems, apparatus and process equipment in power generation plants. This research work describes the development of a new set of polymer composites consisting of different weight percentages of aluminum oxide/silicon carbide (1:1) (0 wt%, 2 wt%, 4 wt%, and 6 wt%) and E-glass fiber used as a reinforced material, epoxy resin (LY 556) used as a PMC material, and epoxy resin (LY 556) and hardener (HY951) mixed in 10:1 at room temperature. The study involved four sets of composites that were fabricated using the hand layup technique. Chemical reagent (solvents and acids) absorption increased in composites with the presence of voids and an increase in the weight percentage of aluminum oxide/silicon carbide (1:1).Chemical resistant of 2 wt% composites for one day against acids (HCl, HNO3, CH3COOH), solvents (NaOH, Na2CO3), and alkalis (benzene, toluene, CCl4) gives better results and shows it can be applied in the making of storage tanks for chemicals successfully.