Viscoelastic Behavior of an Epoxy Resin Modified with Recycled Waste Particles Analyzed through a Fractional Model

Dionisio Badagliacco,Antonino Valenza

doi:10.3390/pr9101826

Abstract

It is well-known that the addition of randomly dispersed particles in polymers influences their linear viscoelastic behavior and dynamic mechanical properties. The aim of this study was to describe the viscoelastic behavior of an epoxy resin modified by waste glass and rubber particles using the linear fractional spring-pot model. Unlike complex classical exponential models, fractional models, being only two-parameter dependent, make it easier to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of materials. Isothermal relaxation and single frequency sweep temperature dynamic tests were carried out in a dynamic mechanical analyzer DMA150 by varying the content of the particles from 0 to 20% by weight. Overall, the results of this study evidence that using waste materials as additives for polymer compounds is a practical and sustainable possibility when it comes to modifying their viscoelastic properties.

Highlights

Nowadays, the use of polymeric materials in building fields is becoming more promising due to their ease of manufacturing, durability properties, lightness, and economy
The parameters β and Cβ were obtained from the best fitting between the experimental relaxation data and the fractional spring-pot model
The overall results of β and Cβ for the neat resin and the composites with both waste glass (W.G) and waste rubber (W.R.) additives at the different percentages are reported in Table 2 as average and standard deviation

Summary

Introduction

The use of polymeric materials in building fields is becoming more promising due to their ease of manufacturing, durability properties, lightness, and economy. The possibility to significantly modify their mechanical and viscoelastic behaviors was demonstrated by the addition of fillers of different nature [1]. A thorough study aimed at understanding and predicting the long-term viscoelastic behavior of these type of material is compulsory [2]. Engineers seek thorough knowledge on the viscoelastic properties of the material for several industrial applications [3]. Most of the materials exhibit viscoelastic behavior, this implies that, when a constant stress is applied, an increase in strain is observed over time (creep). On the contrary, when a constant strain is imposed, the stress progressively decreases (relaxation)

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