Polymer composites with improved heat resistance

Adding mineral fillers to epoxy binders shifts the onset of thermal degradation by tens of degrees. The effect depends less on the amount of filler than on how evenly it is distributed and how its surface is treated with a coupling agent.

What thermogravimetry shows

Mass loss curves for formulations with treated and untreated filler already diverge at the first stage of decomposition. The reason is the difference in adhesion at the phase boundary.

For reference only, check the procedures with your process engineer.