Investigating of Effect of Chemical Surface Modification of SiC Particles on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of SiC-Epoxy Composite

In this study, effect of chemical surface modification of α-silicon carbide (SiC) particles on mechanical and tribological properties of SiC-epoxy composites was investigated. Silane coupling agent was employed for chemical surface modification of SiC particles. Chemical and thermal structure studies by ATR-FTIR and TGA results confirmed that 2.4 wt% of silane coupling agent, which contains epoxy group, was chemically added on the surfaces of SiC particles. Mechanical and tribological results indicated adding unmodified SiC particles on epoxy composite lead to 17%, 13%, and 27% improvement in tensile modulus, tensile strength, and wear resistance, respectively compared to results acquired from neat epoxy. Furthermore, addition of modified SiC on epoxy resin lead to 31%, 38%, and 70% of tensile modulus, tensile strength, and wear resistance, respectively. Fractographical SEM micrograph of fracture cross sections confirmed that fracture surfaces of samples containing modified SiC particles are rougher compared to samples containing unmodified SiC particles