Degree: MASc
Starting date: Jan 2017
Email: faldawsari@uwaterloo.ca
Research title
Influence of Interface on the properties of Silicone Nanocomposites
Project description
In this study, filler loading levels, surface treatment of nanofillers and different processing techniques are investigated. Incorporation of treated and untreated nano-alumina into RTV 615 silicone rubber with different weight percentages of nanofillers 5wt %, 7.5wt% 10wt%, and 20wt% has been investigated. Surface treatment are used to change the hydrophilic surface of nano-alumina to hydrophobic and to enhance the dispersion. Electrostatic disperser (ES) and high shear (HS) methods have been used to obtain further improvements in the properties of the composites. Dielectric spectroscopy, thermographic analysis (TGA), laser erosion tests, and mechanical performance evaluations are used to study the effect of the interface on the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites. Results obtained with the above techniques, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images have demonstrated that treated nano-alumina prepared by high shear (HS) and electrostatic disperser (ES) have a better filler dispersion and distribution than untreated nano-alumina. Also treated nano-alumina composites showed less dielectric loss and high erosion resistance than those composites with untreated nano-alumina. Results further confirm that particle dispersion using ES mixing is better than that using HS mixing.