Thermal properties of epoxy resin/filler hybrid composites

Epoxy resin/filler hybrid composites were prepared by the melt blending of diglycidylether of bisphenol- A (DGEBA), as the epoxy resin, with nano-Al ₂O₃ or nano-SiC particles, as the nanoscaled fillers. The thermal properties, such as the curing behavior, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal mechanical properties of the DGEBA/nano-Al₂O₃ and DGEBA/nano-SiC composites were examined using a range of techniques. As a result, the DSC curve peak temperature of both composites decreased with increasing filler content. The integral procedure decomposition temperature increased from 630 °C to 853 °C for DGEBA/nano-Al₂O₃ composite and 858 °C for DGEBA/nano-SiC composite. The char yield at 800 °C increased from 14.3% to 26.2-26.6% for both composites. Both composites had a 10 °C higher glass transition temperature than the neat epoxy resin. The coefficient of thermal expansion of both composites at the glassy and rubbery regions decreased with increasing filler content.