I want to mix the filler (Polymer in powder form) in the epoxy resin, but due to high viscosity of the resin it is quiet difficult to mix thoroughly in it, so what should be used to decrease the viscosity of resin.?
One possibility is the use of so-called active diluents, but this changes the mechanical properties and you have to take into account in calculating the resin/hardener ratio. You may also try to mix the filler only with the resin at elevated temperature. Non-reactive diluent may also be tried but then you have to remove it carefully before adding the crosslinker.
Normally hardener has got lower viscosity, you can add filler in the hardener and then mix with epoxy resin.
Apart from that, as Gyorgy said; first add with a suitable solvent to reduce the viscosity, then mix with filler and before mixing with the hardener you have to extract the solvent by heating.
In addition to these suggestions, i think you can try to add some solvent like DMF to the epoxy-filler-Hardner and then before curing evaporate it under vaccum to avoid some defects which could limited the mechanical performances.
you should look between the hardener and the resin wich one has the lowest viscosity
and mix your filler with it
may be you can use different mixer like a brabender
Thank you so much Noureddine RamdaniIn for your Guidance, but can you suggest me in what ratio or Amount of DMF should be used w.r.t to the Resin and Hardner ?
There are few ways that can be utilized:
-Solvent aid to dissolve your epoxy then add the filler
-Other possibility is the use of so-called active diluents, but this changes the mechanical properties and you have to take into account in calculating the resin/hardener ratio.
-You may also try to mix the filler only with the resin at elevated temperature.
-Non-reactive diluent may also be tried but then you have to remove it carefully before adding the hardener or cross-linker.
-High shear mixer can also improve the mixing ability.
-Some can consider of mixing the filler in the hardener or cross-linker before adding epoxy, but need to take into account the toxicity as compared to mix with epoxy.
-Compatibility of the material with your epoxy is very important to improve the mixing.
In any cases, you have to pay attention on the effect of the presence of those materials on the properties. In case of solvent, you have to remove it carefully before adding the hardener or cross-linker.
you should useing the E10 for epoxy resin wich one has the lowest viscosity.
:see can you paper
Effect of bubble based degradation on the physical properties of Single
Wall Carbon Nanotube/Epoxy Resin composite and new approach in
bubbles reduction
Seyyed Alireza Hashemi , Seyyed Mojtaba Mousavi
immerse your filler in a certain kind solvent for the surface waiting and reduce it mixing difficult. the solvent has to be volatile and harmless to health. Then heat the mixture to reduce the solvent a certain amount and pull into the epoxy for stirring. until you feel the mixture is uniform as you want.
then raise the temperature to remove all the solvent out. and finally start curing of the whole stuff until it solidified.
this is theoretical. you have to take few emprical study to decide your secret recipe for your own use.
be aware of the toxicity of the solvent. ethonol or acetone was used myself decades ago for barium titanium powder and silicone rubber for high dielectric constant capacitor material. i use TCE as the solvent but it is no good that might cause cancer due to breath in the vapor.
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