Preparation and preliminary characteristic evaluation of epoxy/alumina nanocomposites

Epoxy/alumina nanocomposites were newly prepared by dispersing 3, 5, and 7 weight % nano-scale boehmite alumina particles in a bisphenol-A epoxy resin. Dispersion of alumina particles in the nanocomposite specimen was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flexural properties, dynamic viscoelasticity, permittivity, partial discharge (PD) resistance, and electrical breakdown time were investigated for the nanocomposite specimens in comparison with those of an epoxy resin without nanofillers. The following results were obtained. The nanocomposite specimens keep high transparency similar to the pure resin. Alumina particles with a size below about 50 nm are homogeneously dispersed in the epoxy matrix. Due to dispersion of the nanofillers in the specimens, flexural properties, PD resistance, and electrical breakdown time are improved. The nanocomposites exhibit almost no change in glass transition temperature and permittivity.