Poly-dicyclopentadiene-wollastonite composites toward structural applications

Abstract

Poly-dicyclopentadiene matrix composites with different concentrations of mineral wollastonite particles (CaSiO3) were fabricated with possible applications as high volume structural materials. This represents a significant reduction in costs. A planetary Thinky mixer was used to initially mix the resin with the curing agent, followed by incorporating grubbs catalyst. Finally, the product was mixed together with different loading of the particles. The microstructure and compositions were identified by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Particles were found to be homogeneously distributed over the polymer matrix. Quartz was found as a byproduct of the calcium dissolution in the resin. The thermo-mechanical behavior was evaluated by compression, curing, dynamic mechanical analyzer and thermo-gravimetric analysis. For all wollastonite loadings it was found that compression strength was over 100 MPa. Wollastonite was found to decelerate the curing of the resin by the release of calcium ions that enhanced the exothermic reaction.