Improving the water resistance of epoxy–anhydride matrices by the incorporation of bentonite |
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| Authors: | Guillermina Capiel Julieta Uicich Vera Alvarez Pablo Montemartini |
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| Institution: | 1. Structural Composites Group, Research Institute of Material Science and Technology, INTEMA‐CONICET, National University of Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina;2. Composite Materials Group, Research Institute of Material Science and Technology, INTEMA‐CONICET, National University of Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina;3. Chemical Engineering Department, National University of Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | Epoxy–anhydride‐based polymers are commonly used as a matrix in pipeline systems exposed to water during their in‐service life. Water absorption at moderate temperatures and/or at long exposure times could lead to irreversible hydrolysis reaction decreasing considerably the polymer overall performance. A strategy to enhance the barrier properties of epoxy resins is to add nanofillers to traditional matrices. In this work, we added bentonite and chemically modified bentonite to this purpose. Water absorption of the resulting materials at three different temperatures (22°C, 80°C, and 93°C) was studied, and simultaneously, the evolution during the immersion tests of glass transition temperature and flexural modulus was recorded. Long‐term gravimetric results showed that composites with chemically modified bentonite produce a delay on the hydrolysis of epoxy–anhydride matrix, which is a relevant result, because of the tough application and uses of the system, from the technological point of view. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | epoxy– anhydride matrices clay nanocomposites water absorption process hydrolysis |
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