Characteristics of Mechanical Properties and Thermal Behavior of Epoxy Nanocomposites and Coatings by Zinc Borate, Nano Silica, and Hardener

[Image: see text] This study reports the ability of zinc borate (ZB) and nano silica (NS) in improving mechanical properties and thermal behavior of nanocomposites and coatings composed of epoxy resin EPIKOTE 1001 × 75 cured with hardener T31. The properties of the fabricated nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. With the addition content of 5 wt % ZB into epoxy resin (EPIKOTE 1001 × 75/T31/ZB-5), the impact strength of the fabricated epoxy polymer film increased by 50%, and the glass transition temperature (T(g)) increased from 52 to 71 °C. By adding the content of 5 wt % ZB and 1 wt % NS into epoxy resin (EPIKOTE 1001 × 75/T31/ZB-5/NS-1), the impact strength of the formed epoxy nanocomposite films increased by 137.5%, and T(g) increased from 52 to 82 °C. The results showed that 5 wt % ZB, 1 wt % NS, and hardener T31 improved the toughness and mechanical properties of epoxy polymer materials. The thermal stability of epoxy composite EPIKOTE 1001 × 75/T31/ZB-5 increased by 1.9% and that of epoxy nanocomposite EPIKOTE 1001 × 75/T31/ZB-5/NS-1 increased by 4.7%. The epoxy coating based on epoxy resin EPIKOTE 1001 × 75/T31/ZB-5/NS-1 achieved mechanical properties and had the strongest decomposition temperature at 642 °C.