Epoxy Coatings Fillers on the Rice Husk Base

Abstract

The present paper deals with the investigation of properties of epoxy coatings modified by the silicocarbonous fillers on the rice husk base and its ash that represent invaluable renewable agricultural waste material of vegetable origin. Rice husk containing large amount of chemically active amorphous silica, could be seen as efficient filler for linear and cross-linked polymers as it exhibits catalytic effect on the process of epoxy oligomers hardening by amines and leads to reduction of cross-linking degree of epoxy polymers. Polymer compounds become more competitive and the processes of their utilization are accelerated due to biodegradability of fillers. Filling epoxy composites with both naturally occurring and synthetic wollastonite significantly improves their resistance to wear. Synthetic wollastonite as well as naturally occurring one improves hardness, resistance to wear of epoxy polymers and enhances antifriction properties of modified materials.