Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Silane-Modified Al2O3 Nanoparticles: An Experimental Study

This study investigates the mechanical performance of epoxy resin composites reinforced with silane coupling agent-modified Al2O3 nanoparticles (m-Nano-Al2O3/epoxy). Three silane coupling agents (KH550, KH560, and KH570) were employed to functionalize the Al2O3 nanoparticles, and their chemical structures were confirmed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The microstructure and elemental distribution of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical properties, including tensile strength and hardness, were evaluated using a universal testing machine and a Rockwell hardness tester, respectively. The incorporation of m-Nano-Al2O3 significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix. Compared to pure epoxy, the KH570-modified composites demonstrate a remarkable 49.1% improvement in tensile strength and an 8.8% increase in hardness. These findings highlight the potential of surface-modified Al2O3 nanoparticles as effective reinforcements for high-performance epoxy composites.