The Influence of Sodium Bicarbonate Loading as Blowing Agent on the Properties of Epoxy Foam

Abstract

This research studied the effect of sodium bicarbonate content on the properties of epoxy. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) was used as foaming agent to improve the properties of thermosetting epoxy resin. The samples of epoxy foam were produced using mixing method. Sodium bicarbonate was selected as blowing agent by reason of the environmental friendly and low cost concern. Mechanical, physical and morphology properties were done. Sodium bicarbonate content was varied at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 part per hundred (phr), respectively. It can be highlighted that the optimum content of the SB was selected at 15 phr and it gave the moderate porosity percentage (%), and moderate value in mechanical and density properties, higher SB content exhibited lower flexural properties.