Method for incorporating carbon nanomaterials into an fbe polymer matrix in solid phase, product and use

Abstract

The present technology relates to an efficient process of mixing, dispersing and integrating reduced graphene oxide (RGO) or carbon nanomaterials or nanostructured materials to the epoxy matrix of the 'fusion-bonded epoxy' (FBE) type. The polymeric material consists of a mixture of the solid epoxy particulate with a curing agent, catalyst, pigments and inorganic additives. It allows to integrate nanometric particulate additives in FBE, using FBE in solid state. Powder FBE+RGO system mixes are produced by means of a planetary ball mill or high energy planetary ball mill with internal addition of balls, with time and rotation control. The mixtures show little or no sign of RGO aggregation after application of the composite as a coating on metals. The mixture of FBE+RGO can be applied to metallic surfaces to protect against abrasive processes and corrosion without compromising the properties presented by FBE applied without nanomaterials. There were increases of up to 11% in abrasion resistance, improvement in the material's resistance to accelerated tests, such as immersion in a hot water bath, and a significant increase in adherence, of approximately 100% after the hot bath immersion test.