Effect of Al2O3 and SiO2 Nanopartical on Wear, Hardness and Impact behavior of Epoxy composites

Abstract

A growing need for materials with good tribological and mechanical properties   led to prepare , characterize and measure wear, hardness and impact properties of epoxy (EP)  with different weight percentage of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ nano particles  (0.5%, 1%,1.5%,2%,2.5%,3%) . Silica and alumina nanoparticles have average diameter size 16.69 and 46.73 nm respectively measured by scanning probe microscope.A combination of two different techniques (high shear mixing followed by ultrasonication) was used to prepared the nanocomposites. Fourier transition infrared (FTIR) was used to characterize the nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ an SiO₂) .Wear rate, hardness and impact energy properties  were measured for EP/ Al₂O_3, EP/ SiO₂ nanocomposites . Decreasing in wear  values with addition of nanoparticles ( especially nano Al₂O₃) were observed. Approximately 30% and 80% increasing in hardness values and impact energy were observed. An enhancement in whole measurement for all composites was observed, yet (EP/ Al₂O_3, EP/ SiO₂) composites with 2.5%nano Al₂O₃ show in general better hardness and impact results.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, wear, Impact, hardness.