(185t) Mechanical Property Enhancement in Epon 862 Via Addition of Surface Modified Halloysite Nanotubes

In this work, surface modified halloysites nanotubes were incorporated in a blend of EPON 862 (epoxy resin) and diethylenetriamine (curing agent.) Halloysite was pretreated with sodium hydroxide to increase the number of surface hydroxyl groups and increase reactivity with silanes. Subsequently (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane or (3-glycidyloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilane was grafted to the halloysite surface. Grafting was confirmed by FTIR. The effect on mechanical properties as a function of surface modification type and loading level was evaluated by DMA. Thermal stability, tensile strength, and toughness of the composites were also evaluated.