Effect of Modified Sepiolite Nanofibers and Hollow Glass Microspheres on Performance of Rigid Polyurethane Foams Composite Materials

摘要

The modified sepiolite nanofibers were obtained by organic modification, using gamma-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propytrimethoxysilane as silane coupling agent. On the basis, rigid polyurethane foams composite materials containing modified sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres were obtained, and the effect of modified sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres on performance of rigid polyurethane foams composite materials were also studied. The microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composite materials were measured by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, universal tensile testing machine and differential thermal analyzer. The results indicated that sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres dispersed in rigid polyurethane foams matrix homogeneously with strong physical and chemical interaction, and surface functional groups with special structure were formed. Consequently, modified sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres have great influence on the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the rigid polyurethane foams composite materials. When the contents of sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres were 15% and 10%, the tensile strength, breaking elongation rate and compressive strength of the composite materials were increased by 240%, 410% and 300%, respectively. Thermal weight loss central temperature of the composite materials was increased obviously, showing the better thermal stability of the composite materials after being reinforced by modified sepiolite nanofibers and hollow glass microspheres.