Effects of sample thickness and filler composition on the tensile strength and optical absorbance of PMMA/nano-zircon composites

This research has been carried out with the aim of studying the tensile strength and optical absorbance of PMMA/nano-zircon composites with various composite thicknesses and filler compositions. Puya sand from Kereng Pangi, Central Kalimantan, was the source of the zircon filler. The filler compositions were 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%, while the composite thicknesses were 0.13, 0.18, and 0.28 mm. The total amount of the composite controlled sample thickness poured in a specific sample cast. The nano-zircon filler was synthesized by immersion with HCl, the reaction of NaOH, milling for 15 hours, and annealing at 200°C for 1 hour. Meanwhile, the composites were synthesized by the liquid phase mixing method using acetone as the solvent and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) as the surfactant. Composite characterizations included X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Dynamics Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and Ultra Violet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy. XRD and FTIR characterizations confirmed the successful synthesis of the zircon filler and the PMMA/nano-zircon composites. DMA data showed that the thicker the composite, the higher the tensile strength of the sample. The highest tensile strength obtained is 12.7 MPa belonging to the thickest sample with 1 wt.% zircon. Meanwhile, the optical absorbance increases with zircon composition and composite thickness, as shown by the UV-Vis data. The composite with the highest absorbance is the thickest sample with 5 wt.% zircon, i.e., valued at 96.02% in visible light and 99.32% in UV-B light.