Mechanical, thermal and water absorption behavior of hollow epoxy particle–filled polyester composites

Abstract

A water-based emulsion method was used in this study to produce hollow epoxy particles. The hollow epoxy particles were then chemically treated with hydrochloric acid solution to eliminate the excessive calcium carbonate on the surface of the hollow epoxy particles. The hydrochloric acid–treated hollow epoxy particles were added to the polyester matrix at different loading values (0–9 wt%). The addition of 5 wt% hollow epoxy particles to the polyester matrix optimized the mechanical properties (i.e., tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural strength) of hollow epoxy particle–filled polyester composites. The interlocking of the polyester matrix into the pore regions of the hollow epoxy particles strengthened the polyester composites. The addition of hollow epoxy particles to the polyester matrix increased the thermal stability, storage modulus and the glass transition temperature of the polyester composite. The water absorption and diffusion coefficient of the polyester composite were also increased with the increase of the hollow epoxy particle loading.