Effect of type and loading of surface-modifying agent on mechanical properties of modified geothermal scale powder/stereolithography polymer composite

This study investigated the effect of stearic acid (SA), glycerol monostearate (GMS) and 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (TSPM) at varied loadings on the hardness and flexural properties of modified geothermal scale powder (GSP)/stereolithography (SLA) polymer composite. TSPM-modified GSP/SLA composite has the highest value of hardness due to increased filler dispersion and crystallinity. Hardness of GSP/SLA composite increases with loading of surface-modifying agent due to increase filler dispersion. Pronounced effect of surface modification to flexural modulus is observed. While low loading of SA and GMS leads to reduction of flexural modulus, increasing loading enhances the said property. Further increase of SA deteriorates the property. TSPM-modified GSP enhances the modulus due to increased crystalline phase of the system owing to TSPM copolymerization. Likewise, addition of SA and GMS increases flexural strength due to efficient reduction of filler agglomerates. However, unreacted TSPM produces weak interfaces and poor adhesion between GSP and SLA matrix.