Metallurgical evaluation of halloysite-epoxy composite processed by ultrasonication

This experimental study emphasizes on the effect of ultrasonication, degassing and stirring process of purenanotubular Halloysite (HNT) on epoxy based composite. This process includes hydraulic compression and moderate pressurized hold under a pressure of 1.1 MPa for the expansion restriction of the composite during solidification. Synthesized composite were evaluated accordance to the processing effect on the microstructure and its interfaces. A compact discussion on the microstructure of the each composite and generated interface has been illustrated. A consolidated effect of processing parameters as ultrasonication, degassing and stirring is observed on the microstructure and XRD results of the synthesized composite. Microstructure results reveal that dispersion of HNT enhanced linearly with an addition of HNT particulates.