Modification of Powder Fillers in Order to Improve Operating Properties of Composite Polymer-Based Materials

Abstract

The possibility of hydrophobizing fillers (diatomite and tripoli) by treatment with organosilicon compounds (polyorganohydridesiloxane liquid GKZh-94) and the effect of this on composite properties is investigated. Polymer resin is used as a composite binder. It is established that introduction of GKZh-94 increases the specific surface area of the filler: with the same treatment time in a ball mill the increase in specific surface is from 500 to 1052 cm²/g. The optimum content of organosilicon addition is 0.16%. It is shown that after introducing GKZh-94 moisture absorption by the filler decreases by a factor of 2.2-2.6. After seven days of exposure in a moist atmosphere polymer composites containing hydrophobized fillers absorbed less moisture by a factor of 2.5-3. With an increase in modifier content in composites there is an increase in their ultimate strength in bending reaching a maximum with 0.16% of GKZh-94. It is established that due to GKZh-94 composite strength in bending increases by 22-31%.