Caracterización mecánica de materiales compuestos de matriz epóxica reforzados con partículas de carbón activado : Caracterización mecánica y térmica de materiales compuestos de matriz epóxica reforzados con partículas de origen natural.

Abstract

Abstract (at least 250 words): Activated carbon (AC) particles are ideal reinforcements for epoxy matrix composites, due to their high specific surface area. To verify their potential as particulate reinforcement of natural origin, epoxy matrix composites with activated carbon were elaborated and characterized. Contents of 0.75, 1.5 and 3 % w/w of carbon particulate reinforcement were used in order to evaluate their impact and influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of the materials obtained. For this purpose, composite materials were elaborated by applying the casting method and were subjected to flexural tests, differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) and specific density. It was observed that the activated carbon drying process and the particle dispersion medium play a fundamental role in the elaboration of composite materials. The only mechanical property that improved was the modulus of elasticity by 7.90 % and 19.60 % for 1.5 and 3 % w/w of activated carbon, respectively. The flexural strength decreased in all cases up to 46.0 %. Similarly, the glass transition temperature decreased in all cases up to 34.8 %. Activated carbon as a reinforcement of thermoset matrices alters the chemistry of the curing reactions and the three-dimensional networks of the epoxy resin due to its porous structure. This was verified through the reduction of the evaluated mechanical and thermal properties.