The influence of the powder additive upon selected mechanical properties of a composite

Abstract

Five series of samples were prepared, each batch consisting of 20 epoxy-resin items, CES R70 with CES H72 hardener and 4 types of powder additives: montmorillonite (MMT), Expancell d25 Microsphere (microsphere), nanocarbon (NanoC) and silicon carbide (SiC). All the additives were added in quantities corresponding to 15% of the total volume share of the material. The test samples for tensile test and three-point transverse bend test were made in accordance with the standards: PN-EN ISO 527-1 and PN-EN ISO 178. The addition of powder materials into the resin affected the change of the examined parameters when investigating the mechanical properties. The static tensile test proved the supposition about changing the strength of the material. It also confirmed the change in fragility of the prepared samples in relation to the base material. Similar conclusions may be drawn from the development of the research findings of the materials with regard to bending and hardness of the produced samples.