How TiO2 surface treatment affects cured epoxy resins

Mechanical properties of epoxy resins toughened with TiO2 particles were investigated Source: UPPC

Mechanical properties of epoxy resin toughened with two different submicron particles of TiO2 at different weight fractions (1, 3, and 5 %, respectively) were investigated in a new study. The first TiO2 particles are surface treated with Al2O3-SiO2, and the second are surface treated with Al2O3-ZrO2. The composites were characterised by tensile, flexural, pull off and abrasion tests, followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron spectroscopy of the fracture surfaces. A small amount of TiO2 (~1%) submicron particles improves the flexural, abrasion and pull-off strengths, while amounts up to 5 % significantly enhance tensile properties only. TiO2 particles surface treated with Al2O3-ZrO2 produce an epoxy composite with higher strength and weight loss but lower pull off strength and more brittle than that prepared with Al2O3-SiO2 particles. The TiO2 particles surface treated with Al2O3-SiO2 have a higher adherence to the epoxy composite matrix than the particles treated with Al2O3-ZrO2 as shown by scanning electron spectroscopy. The study appeared in the "Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Vol. 8, No. 6.