Influência da adição de diferentes oligômeros poliédricos de silsesquioxano (POSS) incorporados na resina epóxi no desempenho à corrosão em substrato de aço de baixa liga

Abstract

The epoxy resin is one of the matrices most used in manufacturing composites and coatings. It is highlighted in the group of thermosetting materials due to good processability, mechanic behavior and thermal stability. Properties as thermal resistance and flexibility have been systematically modified by the use of different materials, as clays and, more recently, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes – POSS, applied in epoxy matrices. The polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) in thermosetting nanocomposites have been studied in hybrid materials able to support higher temperatures, promoting increase of mechanic properties and improving surface properties such as, for example, the hydrophobicity of the polymer. The most common functional groups used to preparing nanocomposites with epoxy resin are amines, alcohols and epoxy groups. The nanocage functionality is important, once a thermosetting formed by a reticulated microstructure presents a three-dimensional microstructure that can interact in any direction, making bonds or interacting on the interface of the inserted cages. In this context, it was evaluated the influence of three different polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes – POSS (Glycidylisobutyl-POSS, Triglycidylisobutyl-POSS and Glycidyl-POSS), at two different contents 2.5% and 5% (w/w), in epoxy resin, in the morphological, mechanic and electrochemical behavior when applied on low alloy steel. Adding POSS in the epoxy resin, it was observed an increase in roughness and hydrophobicity of the coating. Moreover, it was reached a higher thermal oxidation resistance and an increase in the values of glass transition temperature of the material, regarding the epoxy resin sample. Among the studied systems, the sample containing Glycidylisobutyl-POSS (POSSmono) showed the best results, regarding the corrosion resistance. The addition of POSSmono in the epoxy resin promoted an increase of contact angle and electrochemical impedance values. Regarding the dispersion in the polymeric matrix, the Glycidyl-POSS (POSSocta) presented an inefficient dispersion, with formation of agglomerates, which hypothetically influenced in its low performance in the electrochemical behavior, regarding the other systems.