Influence of Micro@Nano-Al2O3 Structure on Mechanical Properties, Thermal Conductivity, and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites

The interfacial structure between the inorganic filler and epoxy resin matrix in epoxy resin (EP) composites has a great influence on the mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties. In this paper, two micro@nanostructured Al2O3 fillers and their epoxy resin composites were prepared, and their morphology, interfacial bond strength, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties systematically tested and analyzed. The experimental results show that modification by a nano-Al2O3 coating on the surface of micro-Al2O3 can effectively improve the infiltration of Al2O3 filler and epoxy resin, reduce the interfacial defects caused by weak bonding of Al2O3 filler and epoxy resin, and thus synergistically improve the mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties of epoxy resin composites. The thermal conductivity was improved by 22.5% compared with 22.65% when using micro-Al2O3/EP, the tensile and flexural strength were improved by 36.67% and 20.82%, and the alternating-current breakdown strength was improved by 12.88%. In addition, thermally stimulated current experiments were carried out to study the electron transport properties of micro@nano-Al2O3 epoxy resin composites, revealing that filler nanomodification could improve the trap depth, suppress the carrier transport, and improve the dielectric properties of the composites.

Automated summary

This study improved the interfacial bond strength between the Al2O3 filler and epoxy resin matrix by nano-modifying the filler surface, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties of the composite materials. Additionally, the nano-modification improved the dielectric properties of the composites, providing a new approach for enhancing the performance of composite materials.