Comparing the Behaviors of ZrO2 and MgO Nanoparticles in Mechanical Properties Improvement of epoxy composite

Abstract

The effect of nano magnesium oxide -and nano zirconium oxide  particles (  MgO (100 nm), ZrO₂ (100nm)) respectively on some mechanical properties of epoxy resin was investigated (Flexural strength ,Flexural modulus ,Fracture Toughness ,Hardness and Impact strength). The nano composites were prepared by using three steps process( shearing mixer, ultrasonic homogenizer and vacuum system) with different volume fraction of nano particles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 vol. %). Flexural strength , Flexural modulus and Fracture Toughness of nano composites were increased at low volume fraction .The mechanical properties are improved more than that of neat epoxy resin.  Gelling time of epoxy resin was highly affected by adding nano-particles and also using ultrasonic homogenizer. It was found that mode failures depended on particles size and volume fraction.

Key word:Nanocomposites, epoxy, , zirconium, magnesium. Flexural strength