LAUSR

The scope of the present work is to synthesize mullite fiber (MF) and surface functionalize it via the solgel method with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane to obtain Functionalized Mullite Fiber (F-MF), which has been confirmed by FTIR. The TGBAPPP epoxy resin was further reinforced with varying weight percentages (0.5–1.5 wt%) of F-MF and cured with diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). Thermal, thermo-mechanical and mechanical behaviour of TGBAPPP epoxy matrices and nanocomposites were examined by DMA, and TGA. The surface morphology of the epoxy nanocomposites was investigated by XRD, SEM and AFM studies. Data obtained from the mechanical, thermal and thermo-mechanical, dielectric and water absorption studies indicate a significant improvement in properties of the resultant epoxy nanocomposites when compared to those of the neat (TGBAPPP) epoxy matrix. Thus they could possibly be used as filament wound epoxy nanocomposites for high performance applications.