Mechanical properties of epoxy composites with low content of diamond particles

Diamond‐epoxy composites reinforced with low content of submicron diamond powder 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 wt % were synthesized. As received diamond powder was acid treated to purify and functionalize diamond particles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was utilized to study the moieties attached to the diamond particles. The trace elemental analysis of impurities in diamond powder before and after acid treatment was performed using ion beam techniques. The mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix were enhanced with the addition of purified and functionalized diamond powder. The Dynamical mechanical analysis results revealed that storage modulus of the prepared composites has been increased by ∼ 100% with diamond loading of 0.7 wt %. The Vickers's hardness of the diamond‐epoxy composite was ∼ 39% higher than that of pure epoxy for the loading of 1.0 wt % diamond powder. Mechanisms responsible for the enhancement of the mechanical properties are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013