Thermal Behaviour of Epoxy Composites Filled with Micro-size Aluminium Oxide Particulates

Among the various class of available composite material, polymeric composites have emerged as important materials because of their light weight, high specific strength and stiffness, excellent fatigue resistance and outstanding corrosion resistance compared to most common metallic alloys. In that respect, the present work aims at developing a class of polymer composites consisting of epoxy as a matrix material with micro-size aluminium oxide as a reinforcing material. A set of composites with varying loading of filler content ranging upto 50 wt. % has been fabricated. The effect of filler content on thermal properties of such fabricated samples is investigated. From the experimental results, it is found that inclusion of aluminium oxide filled epoxy composites exhibit improved thermal conduction property, increased glass transition temperature and reduced coefficient of thermal expansion. With modified thermal property, the presently fabricated composites have the potential to be used in applications where thermal conductivity is of prime importance. Also with improved glass transition temperature and coefficient of thermal expansion material can find its application where resistance to thermal fatigue is required.