Preparation and characterization of epoxy/γ-aluminum oxide nanocomposites

Epoxy/gamma-Al2O3 nanocomposites were prepared with a homogenizer and followed by a stepwise thermal curing process in this study. The dispersion of gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles was examined with a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Meanwhile, the effects of gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles on thermal, dynamic mechanical and tensile properties of epoxy/gamma-Al2O3 nanocomposites were also investigated and discussed. When the gamma-Al2O3 content was increased from 1 phr to 5phr, results revealed that gamma-Al2O3 nanoparticles were effective to enhance both the stiffness and toughness of epoxy resin. Meanwhile, the maximum properties of glass transition temperature (T-g), T-d5%, storage modulus, tensile modulus. and elongation at break were observed in the epoxy/5phr gamma-Al2O3 nanocomposite. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.