Improving mechanical and thermal properties of TiO2-epoxy nanocomposite

TiO2-epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated by using an innovative ultrasonic dual mixing process (UDM) process consists of ultrasonic mixing with simultaneous impeller stirring. TiO2 nanoparticles were used as reinforcement in epoxy resin with weight percentages 5, 10 and 15 respectively. Mechanical properties of each group of composite material were identified using tensile and dynamic mechanical measurements. The effect of TiO2 nanoparticles addition on dynamical mechanical properties of epoxy matrix in the terms of storage modulus and tanδ value with respect to the temperature at a dynamic heating rate of 2 °C/min were studied. The dispersion condition of TiO2 content in epoxy matrix has been thoroughly investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis. Tensile tests and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on each group of TiO2-epoxy composite to determine their tensile strength, toughness and thermal stability.