Thermo-mechanical behaviors of epoxy resins reinforced with nano-Al ₂O ₃ particles

This study examined the thermo-mechanical behavior of epoxy resins/nano-Al ₂O ₃ composites including the curing behavior, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal mechanical properties. The DSC curve peak temperature of the composites was decreased by the addition of nano-Al ₂O ₃. The thermal stability of the composites was similar to that of the neat epoxy resins. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated the glass transition temperature of the composites to be approximately 11°C higher than that of the neat epoxy resins. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composites decreased with increasing nano-Al ₂O ₃ content.