Effect of surface activation of alumina particles on the performances of thermosetting-based composite materials

Abstract

Two types of alumina particles, commercial (c-Al2O3) and iron doped (Fe-Al2O3), were functionalized with 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (one-step) and two-step consecutive process, i.e. firstly using 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by methyl ester of linseed oil (biodiesel) to produce Al(2)O(3)ATPMS-BD reinforcement, respectively. The effect of modifier type and variable amount of alumina particles on the dynamical and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin-based composites was studied. The highest improvement of the tensile strength and micro Vickers hardness, 78.1 and 163%, respectively, was obtained at 1.0 wt% of Fe-Al(2)O(3)APTMS-BD addition. The obtained multifunctional composites can be potentially applied in construction and mining industries.