STUDY ON THE ADDITION OF CALCIUM SILICATE TO POLYMER MATRIX AFFECTING THE TENSILE PROPERTY

The performance of any industrial component is very much dependent on the mechanical and other properties in polymer based samples. Further, the use of reinforcement/filler materials in polymer matrix has yielded better mechanical characteristics such as strength, stiffness, etc.
In this particular investigation, calcium silicate (CaSiO3) has been added as a filler material in the polyamide6 (Nylon 6) matrix from the point of improving the strength. The CaSiO3 has been added at three levels (1%, 3%, and 5% by weight) synthesized using injection moulding technique and evaluated for tensile strength. The strength data has been compared with the results of the unfilled PA6 samples. It is observed that the 1 % CaSiO3 added sample has shown substantial improvement in strength and 5% CaSiO3 added samples have shown marginal improvement in strength. These data have been substantiated with the scanning electron microscopic features of the fractured samples.