Influence of seawater on mechanical properties of SiO2-epoxy polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, dispersion of nano SiO2 in epoxy composite aged in seawater and its effect on mechanical properties were studied. The SiO2-epoxy polymer nanocomposite materials were kept in seawater for a total of six months to be tested every two months. Tensile and bending tests were applied to composite materials as a mechanical test. According to the mechanical test results, there was less decrease in strength in SiO2-epoxy polymer nanocomposite material compared to unmodified material. In usage of seawater, the mechanical properties were observed to be the best in 3 % added SiO2-epoxy nanocomposite material.