Flammability and acoustic absorption of alumina foam/tri-functional epoxy resin composites manufactured by the infiltration process

Ceramic-polymer composites with an interpenetrating network structure have a lot of advantages, which can be achieved by connecting two quite different phases. Infiltration of liquid epoxy resin into the cellular alumina matrix is the most suitable way of producing this type of materials and offers an opportunity for a precise and simple fabrication method of ceramic-based interpenetrating composites. Alumina foams manufactured by “gel-casting” method were infiltrated by new tri-functional epoxy resin (triglycidylized para-aminophenol) designed for special aircraft applications. Combination of this new epoxy resin with high-porous alumina foams causes higher compressive strength and better flammability of ceramic/polymer composite than either individual component. Additionally, alumina/epoxy composites with partial pores filling ratio showed satisfactory acoustic absorption characteristics. Development of this type of composites is a result of need to research new, lightweight materials with increased mechanical strength, non-inflammable and another functional features, e.g. noise reduction ability, design for the aerospace industry. Therefore, presented paper investigates flammability, acoustic absorption and mechanical properties of resulted composites.