Improvement of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Epoxy Coating forNatural Gas Pipeline by SiAlON Nanopowders

The influence of SiAlON nanoparticles loading level (0, 3, 5, 7 wt%) on chemical and mechanical properties of internal nanocomposite coating based on Epoxy resin/ SiAlON were experimentally investigated. The nanocomposite coatings were characterized by fracture toughness, abrasion and immersion tests, followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the surface cracks samples. Also nanoparticles characterized by Linier Light Scattering analysis (LLS). The epoxy resin used was a bisphenol A-type epoxide resin with polyamine hardener as a curing agent. Results indicate an enhancement in the epoxy nanocomposite mechanical and chemical properties due to the addition of small fraction of SiAlON nanoparticles. energy per unit area of crack surface of nanocomposites with 3 wt% and 5 wt% of SiAlON nanopowders improves compared to neat resin. The nanocomposite containing 5 wt % of SiAlON nanoparticles exhibited the maximum GIC values which are 23% higher. Also nanocomposites with 3 and 5wt% of SiAlON nanopowder in Na2CO3 solution have chemical resistance higher than neat epoxy resin based on crack initiation and propagation. All of samples in H2CO3 solution have chemical resistance because wasn’t shown any crack on samples surface. Also nanocomposites containing 5 and 3 wt% of SiAlON nanoparticles improved wear resistance, 34% and 59%, respectively.