Thermo-protective properties of polymer composites with nano-titanium dioxide

Abstract

The present work investigates the ablative and thermal properties of an epoxy resin which was modified with titanium dioxide nanoparticles having different size. Prepared samples were submitted to temperatures above 1900 °C and tested for their thermo-protective and ablative properties. The effect of epoxy composite components on thermo-protective and ablative properties: the maximum back side temperature, and the average weight loss under intensive heat flow conditions as well as temperature distribution on the ablation surface of the sample using a thermographic camera and a pyrometer have been established. A statistical analysis of the test results was made. It was confirmed that epoxy resin crosslinked with polyaminoamide hardener and modified with TiO2(21 nm) i TiO2(100 nm+1% Mn) showed improved thermo-protective properties in comparison with unmodified epoxy matrix.