Organic montmorillonite reinforced epoxy mortar binders

• OMMT/EMBs for pavements on orthotropic steel bridge decks have been developed.
• Epoxy chains have been intercalated into the OMMT layers.
• Homogenous dispersion of OMMT in EMB matrix has been observed.
• The addition of OMMT improves the thermal and mechanical properties of the neat EMB.

In this work, in order to investigate the reinforcement effects of organic montmorillonite (OMMT) modified epoxy mortar binders (EMBs), a series of OMMT/EMB composites with different OMMT loadings were prepared. The structure and thermal stability of OMMT were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of OMMT on the structure, glass transition, damping properties, thermal stability, mechanical properties and morphology of EMB were characterized by XRD, dynamic mechanical analysis, TGA, tensile test, and scanning electron microscopy. XRD results indicated that epoxy chains intercalated into the OMMT layers and led to the expansion of OMMT layer spacing. The presence of OMMT increased the glass transformation temperature, crosslink density of the neat EMB. Furthermore, the incorporation of OMMT improved the thermal stability of the EMB. The OMMT/EMB composites showed higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus than the neat EMB. Homogenous dispersion of OMMT in EMB matrix was observed.