An experimental study of mechanical properties and heat transfer of acrylic composites with structural and surface modified Al2O3 particles

Thermal properties of acrylate-based composite combined with alumina-based particles were investigated. The composites were made of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified with dimethyl itaconate (DMI) as a matrix. Neat alumina particles (Al2O3) and alumina doped with iron oxide (Al2O3-Fe) modified with 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxylane (AM) and flax oil fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel - BD) were used as reinforcement. Thermal conductivity measurements showed that composite with alumina particles with the highest alpha phase content had the highest thermal conductivity values. Mechanical properties (tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break) were improved by the addition of modified alumina particles to PMMA/DMI matrix. The thermal properties are the most improved for composite with 3 wt.% Al2O3-Fe-AM particles that had the lowest temperature in a crack zone was noticed (10.28 %) compared to PMMA added due to the better stiffness and highest thermal conductivity.