A. V. Polin and G. I. Shaidurova

NANOMODIFIED CORROSION-RESISTANT POLYMER CONCRETES TO BE USED IN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTS

The development of the chemical industry requires the creation of durable building materials resistant to the combined effects of aggressive environments, mechanical loads, and temperature fluctuations. Promising materials for such conditions are polymer concretes based on epoxy resins reinforced with glass fiber. However, their durability is limited by the imperfect structure of the matrix–fiber–filler interface. This paper studies the targeted modification of the interphase zone with silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles. The scientific novelty lies in interrelating quantitatively and qualitatively the type and content of nanoadditives, the degree of compaction of the interphase region, and the improvement of the barrier properties of the composite as a whole. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis (EDS), and impedance spectroscopy are used to identify the formation of a denser and more homogeneous structure at the interface between the phases upon the introduction of 0.5 and 1.0 wt% nanoparticles. The results of long-term corrosion resistance tests in 10% H₂SO₄ and NaOH solutions and in a 5% NaCl solution for 180 days at 40 °C show that nanomodified samples demonstrate an up to 40% decrease in water absorption, an up to 88% increase in the retention of flexural strength after exposure (compared to 58–78% for the control), and a 15–25% increase in impact strength. A specific effect of the modifiers has been found; namely, Al₂O₃ is more effective in acidic environments and SiO₂ is more effective in alkaline ones. The obtained results make it possible to design polymer concrete compositions with a predictable service life for specific operating conditions in the chemical industry.

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