Sea coral-derived cuttlebone reinforced epoxy composites: Characterization and tensile properties evaluation with mathematical models

Using sea coral as a new bio-mass in processing of particle-filled polymer composites is very promising in the field of structural applications. In this study, waste cuttlebone was used as a filler material in epoxy composites. In general, cuttlebone particles derived from crushing and sieving were in aragonite polymorph form. In the present study, calcite polymorph form was obtained after heat treatment of cuttlebone particles at 400℃. Presence of polymorph form, elemental composition and thermal stability were confirmed with different characterization techniques. Composites were prepared with aragonite and calcite polymorph form cuttlebone particles and commercially available calcium carbonate as reinforcement in epoxy matrix. Tensile tests were carried out to determine the composites strength and compared with predefined theoretical models. Heat-treated cuttlebone reinforced epoxy composites showed higher tensile properties and better interaction between filler and matrix than other composites.