Microvickers hardness determination of unsaturated polyester resins reinforced with alumina based reinforcement

Commercial alumina wiskers (Al2O3 w) and synthesized alumina particles via sol-gel technique (Al2O3 m) were used as reinforcement in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR). Composite materials with the addition of 0.1 wt. %, 0.25 wt. %, 0.5 wt. %, 1.0 wt. %. i 2.5 wt. % of alumina based particles were obtained. Structural analysis of used alumina reinforcement and obtained UPR/Al2O3 composites was performed by FTIR spectroscopy. Morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microhardness test was done using the Vikers method. Obtained results showed an increase of microhardness of UPR/Al2O3 w composites up to 66.4%, while the increase of microhardness of UPR/Al2O3 m composite was up to 52.3% compared to UPR matrix.