Effect of TiO2 Dispersion on Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Polymer

This study is focused to assess reinforcing effects of TiO2 particles on the mechanical properties of epoxy resins, particularly with regards to fracture and toughening mechanisms. An experimental study has been carried out on series of composites containing varying amount of micro size titanium dioxide (TiO2) up to 8 wt.%. The particles were dispersed via mixing with mechanical stirrer at 1000 rpm for 2 hours to ensure a well-dispersed phase of the particles. The epoxy resin with the dispersed particle has been cured with hardener at 40 degrees C for 16 hours. Test reveals improvement in up to 4 wt.% of the particles and decrease in the mechanical properties beyond 4 wt. %. This may be attributed to the significant increase in clustering and settlement of the particles during long curing time. The tensile strength increases by 32 % and fracture toughness (K-1C) by 44.95 % and the fracture energy (G(1C)) by 150.29 % with particle loading of 4 wt. % TiO2.