MAJOR PROJECT REPORT

ON

SYNTHESIZE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLANETARY

MILLED ALUMINA/EPOXY COMPOSITE
Submitted to Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the
requirement for the award of the degree of

B. TECH

In

Metallurgical & Materials Engineering

Submitted By:

SWAGAT SUMAN NAIK-1602100054

Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering

VEER SURENDRA SAI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

ODISHA

JULY 2020

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 DECLARATION
I, Swagat Suman Naik (Regd. No.-1602100054), a student of B. Tech (Semester- VIII)
of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Odisha hereby declare that the major project
report entitled “Synthesize & Characterization of Planetary Milled Alumina/Epoxy
Composite” is an original work and data provided in the study is authentic to the best of our
knowledge. This report has not been submitted to any other institute for the award of any degree.

Place: Burla, Sambalpur Swagat Suman Naik

Date: 20.07.2020 Regd. No.-1602100054

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our pleasure to be indebted to various people, who directly or indirectly contribute to the
development of this work and who influenced our thinking, behavior and acts during the course
of study.

I am thankful to Dr. B. B. Pani and Mr. Dinesh Kumar Mishra for their support, co-operation
and motivation provided to me during the major project for constant inspiration, presence and
blessings.

I would like to thank Dr. Pinaki Chatterjee from Laboratory of Advanced Research in
Polymeric Materials (LARPM), CIPET, Bhubaneswar to guide me through the fabrication of
Epoxy- Alumina Composites of varied composition through hand lay-up method.

I also extend our appreciation to the faculties of our department who provided their valuable
suggestions and precious time in accomplishing my major project report.

Lastly, I would like to thank the almighty and our parents for their moral support and our friends
with whom I shared my day-to day experience and received lots of suggestions that my quality
of work.

Swagat Suman Naik

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 VEER SURENDRA SAI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY:
ODISHA

P.O: Engineering College Burla (Siddhi Vihar), Dist: Sambalpur

Odisha– 768018, India
Website : www.vssut.ac.in, E-mail: head_metallurgy@vssut.ac.in
Ph:(0663)2430573

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the major project report entitled “Synthesize & Characterization of
Planetary Milled Alumina/Epoxy Composite” submitted by SWAGAT SUMAN NAIK
(1602100054) in the partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Technology from the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Veer
Surendra Sai University of Technology, is a record of candidate’s own work carried out by
them. The matter embodied in this report has not been submitted in part or full to any other
university or institute for the award of any degree.

This is to certify that above statement made by the candidate is correct to the best of our
knowledge.

Approved by:

Dr. Renu Prava Dalai Dr. B.B Pani

(H.O.D)
(Supervisor)

Assistant Professor MME,VSSUT

MME, VSSUT Odisha Odisha

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 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 08

1.1 Objectives & Applications 09

2. THEORY 10-18

2.1 Composite 10

2.2 Types of composite on the basis of matrix 10

2.3 Fabrication Technique of a composite 10-13

2.3.1. Open Molding 10

2.3.2. Closed Molding 11
2.3.3. Cast Polymer Molding- 12

2.4 Comparison between Pure Matrix and Composite 13

2.5 Importance of Alumina-Epoxy Composites 13

2.6 Optical Microscopy 14

2.7 FTIR Spectroscopy 15

2.8 Terminologies 16-18

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3. LITERATURE REVIEW 19

4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE 20-24

4.1. Materials and Chemicals Used 20

4.2. Ball Milling 20

4.3 Mechanism of Ball Milling 20-21

4.4. Hand Lay-Up Technique 22-24

5. RESULTS & DISCUSSION 25-29

6. CONCLUSION 30

7. FUTURE WORK 31

8. REFERENCE 32

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LIST OF FIGURES:

Fig. 2.1 Images of optical microscope

Fig. 2.2 Images of FTIR spectroscope

Fig. 2.3 Release Agent

Fig. 2.4 Resins

Fig. 2.5 Reinforcing Fibers

Fig. 2.6 Workstation Preparation

Fig. 2.7 Mold Preparation

Fig. 2.8 Resin Rich

Fig. 2.9 Resin Starved

Fig. 2.10 Delamination

Fig. 2.11 Void

Fig. 4.1 Retsch PM- 200 Planetary Ball Mill

Fig. 4.2 Mold surface is treated by silicon oil

Fig. 4.3 A thin sheet is applied on the mold plate

Fig. 4.4 Resin mixed ingredients are infused on the surface to spread on the whole mould

Fig. 4.5 Roller for removal of trapped air bubbles and the excess of polymer

Fig. 4.6 Load of 20 kg is applied on the mould

Fig. 4.7 A sheet of epoxy alumina composite

Fig. 5.1 FTIR Spectroscopy of Epoxy Alumina Composites of varied composition

Fig. 5.2 55 wt.% Epoxy- 45 wt.% Alumina Composition (Milling Time- 5 Hours)

Fig. 5.3 100 wt.% epoxy resins

Fig. 5.4 55 wt.% Epoxy- 45 wt.% Alumina Composition (Milling Time- 0 Hour)

Fig. 5.5 65 wt.% Epoxy- 35 wt.% Alumina Composition (Milling Time- 0 Hour)

Fig. 5.6 65 wt.% Epoxy- 35 wt.% Alumina Composition (Milling Time- 5 Hours)

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 1. INTRODUCTION

 Epoxy is the most common type of matrix used in a ceramic matrix composite. It refers
to any of the basic components or cured end products of epoxy resins, as well as a
colloquial name for the epoxide functional group.

 Resins have excellent processability, low cost, low density, and good chemical
resistance but some of its limitations like low stiffness and strength, low impact
resistance, and poor resistance to crack propagation restrict their usage in high
performance applications.
 Epoxies are commonly modified by the inclusion of inorganic- particulate fillers, such
as silica, alumina, mica or talc. Fillers are added to epoxy resins to improve fracture
toughness and electrical or heat transfer properties, to increase resin stiffness, flame
retardance, and wear resistance, and to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion.
 The resulting composite specimens have applications as automobile parts, dental
restoratives, and electronic packaging/underfill for circuit cards. Many variables (e.g.
resin crosslink density, particle type, size, size distribution, and filler loading) can affect
the composite's thermal, electrical, mechanical and fracture properties.
 Rubber fillers increase fracture toughness with cracks propagating via cavitation and
shear yielding phenomena, but decrease the flexural and Young's moduli.
 Alumina is a well-known ceramic material with low cost, nontoxic, stable, inert, high
corrosion, and high temperature resistance. Because of these properties alumina was
chosen as the reinforcing phase in epoxy matrix. So, epoxy alumina composites counter
the negatives of each individual component.
 As we know that, with the decrease in particle size, strength increases due to decrease
in the surface area. As per Hall-Petch equation,

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1.1. OBJECTIVES & APPLICATIONS

OBJECTIVES:
 Development of polymer-based composites with simultaneously high thermal conductivity and
breakdown strength has attracted considerable attention owing to their important applications
in both electronic and electric industries.

 In this study, we successfully design novel epoxy-based composites with epoxy alumina
composite layer sandwiched between micro-epoxy alumina epoxy composite layers, which
how synergistically and significantly enhanced thermal conductivity and breakdown strength.

APPLICATIONS:
 The excellent overall properties of SiO2/Al2O3 filled epoxy composites may opens up avenues of
new applications of epoxy composites.

 As varistor components for surge-arrestor and over-voltage applications

in power systems.

 Innovative product development for automotive industry, electronics, coatings and many other
applications are promising applications for these composites.

 In this research investigation, the properties of various polymeric insulation containing certain
weight fraction of SiO2/Al2O3/ZnO in epoxy resin can be considered.

 While designing the base board of insulated gate bipolar transistor, it is necessary to optimize both
the breakdown strength of the gate dielectric and the electric field distribution in the device. In the
field of more conventional electrical insulation, it seems possible to generate composites
exhibiting a dielectric constant and dissipation factor that are lower than that of either of the
constituent components. It has been suggested that this counterintuitive result is due to polymer
chain immobilization at the interfaces.

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 2. THEORY

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON COMPOSITES

2.1 COMPOSITE
A Composite is a combination of two materials in which one of the materials, called the
reinforcing phase, is in the form of fibers, sheets, or particles, and is embedded in the other
materials called the matrix phase. The reinforcing material and the matrix material can be
metal, ceramic, or polymer.

Merits of Composite-

 High strength to weight ratio (low density high tensile strength)

 High creep resistance
 High tensile strength at elevated temperatures
 High toughness

2.2 TYPES OF COMPOSITES ON THE BASIS OF MATRIX

 Metal Matrix Composite-Metal Matrix Composites are composed of a metallic matrix
(aluminum, magnesium, iron, cobalt, copper) and a dispersed ceramic (oxides,
carbides) or metallic (lead, tungsten, molybdenum) phase.
 Polymer matrix Composite-Ceramic Matrix Composites are composed of a ceramic
matrix and embedded fibers of other ceramic material (dispersed phase).
 Ceramic matrix Composite-Polymer Matrix Composites are composed of a matrix from
thermoset (Unsaturated Polyester (UP), Epoxy (EP))
or thermoplastic (Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinyl Chloride, Nylon, Polystyrene) and
embedded glass, carbon, steel or Kevlar fibers (dispersed phase).

2.3 FABRICATION TECHNIQUES OF A COMPOSITES

Different process of fabrication are done for different composites based on the
requirements and type of matrix and reinforcement. Some of them are:

2.3.1 OPEN MOLDING-

Composite materials (resin and fibers) are placed in an open mold, where they cure or
harden while exposed to the air.

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 HAND LAY-UP-
Hand lay-up is the most common and least expensive open-molding method because it
requires the least amount of equipment. Fiber reinforcements are placed by hand in a mold and
resin is applied with a brush or roller. This process is used to make both large and small items,
including boats, storage tanks, tubs and shower.

 SPRAY-UP-
Spray-up is similar to hand lay-up but uses special equipment—most notably a chopper
gun—to cut reinforcement material into short fibers, add them to resin and deposit the mixture
(called chop) onto a molding surface. Spray-up is more automated than hand lay-up and is
typically used to produce large quantities.

 FILAMENT WINDING-

Filament winding is an automated process that applies resin-saturated, continuous strands

of fiber reinforcements over a rotating cylindrical mold.

2.3.2 CLOSED MOLDING-

Composite materials are processed and cured inside a vacuum bag or a two-sided mold,
closed to the atmosphere. Closed molding may be considered for two cases: first, if a two-sided
finish is needed; and second, if high production volumes are required.

 VACUUM BAG MOLDING -

This manufacturing process is designed to improve the mechanical properties of

laminate (two or more layers of fiber reinforcement bonded with a resin). A vacuum is
created to force out trapped air and excess resin, compacting the laminate.

 RESIN TRANSFER MOLDING -

Resin transfer molding (RTM), sometimes called liquid molding, is a closed-molding method in
which reinforcement material is loaded into a closed mold, the mold is clamped, and resin is pumped
in (through injection ports) under pressure.

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 COMPRESSION MOLDING-
Compression molding is a manufacturing process in which composite materials are sandwiched
between two matching molds under intense pressure and heat (from 250° to 400° F) until the part cures.


 PULTRUSION-
Pultrusion is used to form composites into long, consistent shapes like rods or bars. Continuous
strands of reinforcement are pulled through a resin bath to saturate them, then pulled through heated
steel molds that sculpt the composites into continuous lengths.

 CENTRIFUGAL CASTING -

In centrifugal casting, reinforcements and resin are deposited against the inside surface of a rotating
mold. Centrifugal force holds them in place until the material cures or hardens.

 FILAMENT WINDING -
Filament winding is an automated process that applies resin-saturated, continuous strands
of fiber reinforcements over a rotating cylindrical mold. It’s used for creating hollow products like
rocket motor casings, pipes, stacks, and chemical storage tanks. Filament winding is less labor-intense
than other open-molding processes.

2.3.3 CAST POLYMER MOLDING-

A mixture of resin and fillers are poured into a mold (typically without reinforcements)
and left to cure or harden. These molding methods sometimes use open molding and sometimes
use closed molding.

 GEL COATED CULTURED STONE MOLDING-

Gel coat is a specialized polyester resin that is formulated to provide a cosmetic outer
surface on a composite product, and to provide weather-ability for outdoor products. Gel coat
consists of a base resin and additives.

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  SOLID SURFACE MOLDING -
Solid surface products (also known as densified products) consist of a cast matrix without a gel-coated
surface. A vacuum can be used to remove entrapped air in the matrix. Solid surface products offer limitless
design styles.

2.4 COMPARISON BETWEEN PURE MATRIX AND COMPOSITE

The biggest advantage of modern composite materials is that they are light as well as
strong. By choosing an appropriate combination of matrix and reinforcement material, a new
material can be made that exactly meets the requirements of a particular application.
Composites also provide design flexibility because many of them can be moulded into complex
shapes. The downside is often the cost. Although the resulting product is more efficient, the
raw materials are often expensive.

2.5 IMPORTANCE OF ALUMINA-EPOXY COMPOSITES

Epoxy is the most common type of matrix used in a polymer matrix composite. It has
excellent processability, low cost, low density, and good chemical resistance. But it has low
stiffness and strength, low impact resistance, and poor resistance to crack propagation and
chemicals. Alumina is a well-known ceramic material with properties like low cost, non-toxic,
stable, inert, high corrosion, and high-temperature resistance. So, when alumina is added to
epoxy it enhances its properties. It increases the strength of epoxy matrix, makes it more
resistive to chemical attacks and increases it electrical and mechanical properties.

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2.6 OPTICAL MICROSCOPY

 The optical microscope is also called the light microscope, uses a combination of light and lenses
to magnify an image.
 Optical microscope are used in the viewing of small objects such as cells. This type of microscope
does not offer the highest magnification and so when viewing a cell has limited structures.
 Optical microscopy is extensively used in microelectronics, nanophysics, biotechnology,
pharmaceutic research and mineralogy.
 The major imaging principle of optical microscope is that an objective lens with very short focal
length is used to form a highly magnified real image of the object.
 The best resolution for an optical microscope is about 0.2 microns= 200nm
 Although, optical microscopy has a long established characterized technique. These involve higher
resolution, higher speed of data, acquisition, more quantitative results or more sensitive detection.

Fig. 2.1 Images of Optical Microscope

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2.7 FTIR SPECTROSCOPY

 Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR) were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer 1710

spectrophotometer at room temperature. The frequency range of FT-IR was 400–500 cm-1.
 In FTIR analyses, Infrared light from the light source passes through a Michelson interferometer
along the optical path.
 The Michelson interferometer comprises a beam splitter, moving mirror, and fixed mirror. The
light beam split into two by the beam splitter is reflected from the moving mirror and fixed mirror,
before being recombined by the beam splitter.
 As the moving mirror makes reciprocating movements, the optical path difference to the fixed
mirror changes, such that the phase difference changes with time. The light beams are recombined
in the Michelson interferometer to produce interference light.
 The intensity of the interference light is recorded in an interferogram, with the optical path
difference recorded along the horizontal axis.

Fig. 2.2 Images of FTIR Spectroscope

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2.8 TERMINOLOGIES:

2.8.1 RELEASE AGENT

Layer of film that does not bond to resin being cured - prevents
matrix from sticking to the table. In this lab, the tabletop will be
covered with plastic sheeting, or PVA to act as the release agent. Some
other release agents used in industry are: wax, spray releases,
and other release films. Fig. 2.3 Release Agent

2.8.2 RESINS
The matrix of the composite to ‘bind’ the composite
materials together and transfer the component stresses that
may act on the part to the fibers in the composite. In this lab,
a two-part epoxy and hardener (accelerator) resin system will
be used.

Fig. 2.4 Resins

2.8.3 REINFORCING FIBERS

There are many different fibers that can be used to
fabricate a composite material. The fibers are designed and
selected to handle intended stresses imposed. In this lab, a
standard weave fiberglass and carbon cloth will be used.

Fig. 2.5 Reinforcing Fibers

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 2.8.4 WORK STATION PREPARATION
Initial preparation of materials and tools is standard
procedure when working with composites. Once resin and
hardener are mixed, the “working time” – amount of time
an epoxy remains viscous enough that it can be still be easily
applied, prior to the resin mix curing - is limited by the speed
of the hardener chemically reacting with the epoxy
producing an exothermic reaction. Student must prepare
ALL materials and supplies, and set up before proceeding.

Fig. 2.6 Workstation Preparation

2.8.5 MOLD PREPARATION

Before starting with the layup process, table
preparation must be done. This preparation consists of
cleaning the table and applying a release agent to the
surface, to avoid the resin sticking to table. In this lab, the
mould preparation is simply taping the plastic sheeting to
the table top.

Fig. 2.7 Mold Preparation

2.8.6 RESIN RICH

Localized area of cured part that has
too much resin and little reinforcement fiber.

Fig. 2.8 Resin Rich

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 2.8.7 RESIN STARVED
Localized area lacking enough resin to wet
out the fiber.

Fig. 2.9 Resin Starved

2.8.8 DELAMINATION
Separation of the laminate, along the
layers.

Fig.2.10 Delamination

2.8.9 VOID
Air trapped and cured in the laminate. Voids
will not allow the transmission of stresses to the load
and can result in premature failure of the part that
could be catastrophic failure.

Fig. 2.11
Void

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 CHAPTER 3
LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1. Devaraj.Eand et.al. worked on study of mechanical and wear behaviour of carbon fiber

reinforced epoxy resin composites with alumina filler additions and found that 4% alumina

filler content display better tensile characteristic and 2% filler content has highest surface

hardness. Volume 02, Issue 10 (October 2013).

3.2. Ramesh K. Nayak et.al worked on effect of epoxy modifiers (Al2O3/SiO2/TiO2) on

mechanical performance of epoxy/glass fiber hybrid composites” and found that the hardness

and impact energy increases as compared to other modifiers. Procedia Materials Science6

(2014) 1359-1364.

3.3. Oladapo A Akinyede et.al worked on static and dynamic loading behaviour of hybrid

epoxy composite with alumina nanoparticles and found that there is an increase of 18% to 29%

fracture toughness for the resin and fibre over the traditional epoxy composite. (2007/01/01).

A. Tessema, D. Zhao, J. Moll et.al worked on effect of filler loading, geometry, dispersion and

temperature on thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites, polymer testing and found that

the effective thermal conductivity (Ke), of the polymer nanocomposites increases with increase

in fraction of silica nanoparticles. Further, uniform particle dispersion is preferred to maximize

the particle-polymer interfacial interaction to improve the mechanical properties of composites

& the effective thermal conductivity as a function of temperature for epoxy silica composites.

The effective thermal conductivity increses linearly with temperature. Vol. 57, 1011062017

(2017).

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 CHAPTER 4

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

4.1. MATERIALS & CHEMICALS USED FOR HAND LAY-UP METHOD

(a) Alumina (Al2O3) (b) Epoxy: LY556 (c) Hardener: HY951 (d) Tissue Paper (e) Zip tie

(f) Cotton (g) Toluene (Methyl Benzene- C7 H8) (h) Silicon oil.

4.2. BALL MILLING

 First we have to measure 180gm of fine alumina powder in weighing machine.

 Put this powder in a petri disc and kept in an oven for two hours at 110 degree Celsius
to remove the moisture.
 Then we have to measure separately 170gm of fine alumina powder for milling purpose
(5hrs).
 Then these 170gm of alumina powder can go for milling in planetary ball mill in 5
batches.
 In every batch we are using alumina powder with some adequate amount of toluene in
container for a period of 3 hours rotating at 200 rpm. After this we went for hand lay-
up method.

4.3 MECHANISM OF BALL MILLING

 Used to obtain Nano crystalline structure from either single phase or multiphase
materials. It uses steels or refractory balls.
 It is applicable for synthesis of ceramic or metallic nanomaterial.
 When the ball rotator at a particular RPM, the necessary energy is transformed to the
powder, which in turn reduces the powder of coarse grain size structure to ultrafine
grain structure.

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  The energy transformed to the powder from the ball depends on many factor.
Such as-
a) Rotation speed of the ball
b) Size of the ball
c) Number of balls
d) Milling time
e) Ratio of ball to powder
f) Milling medium or Atmosphere
e.g. - Liquid Nitrogen, Cryogenic atmosphere

Fig. 4.1 Retsch PM- 200 Planetary Ball Mill

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4.4 HAND LAY-UP TECHNIQUE

Hand lay-up technique is the oldest method of woven composite manufacturing. It is a

moulding process where fiber reinforcements are placed by hand then wet with resin. The
manual nature of this process allows for almost any reinforcing material to be considered. The
most basic type of fabrication is a hand layup. This process requires dry reinforcement layers,
or piles, and planning the project from start to finish. Creation & preparation of composites are
used primarily because they can take any shape- unlike metals. The samples are prepared by
respecting some steps.

 First of all, the mold surface is treated by release

anti-adhesive agent (Silicon oil) to avoid the
sticking of polymer to the surface. Silicon oil was
used as a non-adhesive coating all over the mould to
avoid the sticking of the semi-liquid mixture to stick
into the mould boundary.

Fig. 4.2

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  Then, a thin plastic sheet is applied at the top &
bottom of the molld plate to get a smooth surface
of the product. The layers of woven
reinforcement are cut to required shapes and
placed on the surface of the mould.

Fig. 4.3

 Thus, as previously mentioned, the resin mixed with

other ingredients and infused on the surface of
reinforcement already positioned in the mould using
a help brush to uniformly spread it.

Fig. 4.4

 And then the other mats are placed on the

preceding polymer layer and pressured using a roller
to remove any trapped air bubbles and the excess of
polymer as well.

Fig. 4.5

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 A load of 20kg is applied. The mould is then
closed and pressure is released to obtain a single
mat.

Fig. 4.6

After curing at room temperature, the

mould is opened and the woven composite is
removed from the mould surface.

Fig. 4.7

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 CHAPTER 5

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

5.1 RESULTS

Fig 5.1 FTIR Spectroscopy of Epoxy Alumina Composites of varied composition

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Fig. 5.2 Optical images of 55 wt.% epoxy- 45 wt.% Alumina Composition
(Milling time-5 Hours)

Fig. 5.3 Optical images of 100 wt.% epoxy resins

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Fig. 5.4 Optical images of 55 wt.% epoxy- 45 wt.% Alumina Composition
(Milling Time- 0 Hour)

Fig. 5.5 Optical images of 65 wt.% Epoxy- 35 wt.% Alumina Composition

(Milling Time- 0 Hour)

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 Fig. 5.6 Optical images of 65 wt.% Epoxy- 35 wt.% Alumina Composition
(Milling Time- 5 Hours)

5.2 DISCUSSIONS

 In general, a more rough fracture surface with evidence of crack-tip pinning and bowing indicates
that more energy is absorbed during fracture, and it could also be seen as a confirmation of the
higher mechanical properties.
 It should be noted, however, that the resolution of the scanning electron micrographs is too low to
detect any energy absorbing mechanisms.
 Testing revealed that the stiffness, or the modulus, of the epoxy polymer was improved when
alumina was added, even at very low concentrations of alumina. This effect was observed also
when agglomerates of the Al2O3 were present in the composites. The resolution of the micrographs
is too low to detect individual whiskers or particles, but the agglomeration indicates that relatively
strong intermolecular forces are acting between the whiskers.
 This is expected to represent a challenge with respect to the dispersion of alumina in a given
solvent, e.g. epoxy curing agents, as large forces are required to separate the particles from one
another. In fact, difficulties to obtain a high degree of dispersion were observed.

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 However, it seems that the removal of the solvent in which the surface treatment was conducted
may have led to some re-agglomeration of the alumina as relatively large clumps, or agglomerates,
were observed. Nevertheless, after dispersion in the anhydride, these agglomerates were no longer
observed in the alumina/anhydride dispersions, indicating weaker interfacial interactions between
the particles after surface-modification.
 The fracture surface of the neat epoxy polymer was relatively smooth around the crack initiation
site, and rougher and more three-dimensional towards the opposite side of the specimen. This
corresponds well to previously reported fracture surfaces of unfilled epoxies with blunt pre-cracks.
 Also, debonding between the agglomerated whiskers and the epoxy was observed.
 When it comes to the thermal dispersion problem, these composites cannot meet the requirements
in the aerospace electrical and electronic components due to their poor thermal conductivity and
weak resistance to high temperature.

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 CHAPTER 6

CONLUSION
 This study has demonstrated a novel approach to improve the thermal properties of epoxy
composites. It is an important class of thermoset polymer, which is widely used in polymer
composites.
 Epoxy composites of varied Al2O3 composition with optimized mechanical properties can be used
in wide range of applications.
 The investigated Al2O3 act differently on the complex permittivity of the composite resin.
Compared to the reference neat resins the non-porous alumina tend to increase the relative
permittivity values, while the porous Al2O3 fillers tend to reduce them.
 Factors that affect the properties of composites most significantly are observed to be filler loading,
interface between matrix and filler, mechanical loading, etc. It owns to its excellent electrical
insulation, chemical resistance, mechanical properties and low cost
 Hence, after the evaluation of phases which can be determined through Scanning Election
Microscopy (SEM), XRD; we can get a brief idea regarding its phase transformation. Then, by
conducting various mechanical tests like tension test, impact test, fractural strength, etc. it's
mechanical properties can be attributed.

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 CHAPTER 7

FUTURE WORK
Further research may be required but is not limited to the following areas:

(a) Innovations in manufacturing techniques of epoxy composites:

The manufacturing process of epoxy composites is the most important part in the investigation
since dispersion is one of the kay factor in determining the overall insulating performance of the
resulting composites. The dispersion affects the dielectric, mechanical and thermal properties of
epoxy composites.

(b) Control of Interface for better composite properties:

Interfacial region between epoxy and alumina have a significant effect on the overall performance
of the epoxy alumina composites. However, the commonly used microscopy techniques (SEM and
TEM) are not able to provide enough information about the interface. Use of atomic force
microscopy (AFM) composite properties can be adopted for characterization of interface for
polymer composites. This will go a long way improving composite properties.

(c) Development of newer insulating materials:

The research work covered in the present thesis is focused on epoxy and epoxy composites. It is
worthwhile to explore some additional engineering polymers with the addition of short or even
long fiber.

(d) Establishment of long term performance of composites:

Although ageing characteristics of composites has already been loaded widely, it is still necessary
to go in for in-depth ageing studies, using different environmental and service stimulated
conditions. As the interfacial characteristic between epoxy and alumina is the key for determining
the dielectric properties of polymer composites, studies on ageing behavior will be helpful in better
understanding of the interface degradation processes involved. This will pave way for
development of better composites.

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 CHAPTER 8

REFERENCE

[1] Oladapo A Akinyede, Ram Mohan, Ajit Kelkar, Jagannathan Sankar. “Static And

Dynamic Loading Behaviour Of Hybrid Epoxy Composite With Alumina Nanoparticles”. 16th

international conference on composite materials in 2007.

[2] Ramesh K. Nayak, Alina Dash and B.C.Ray.” Effect of epoxy modifiers

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