Effect of Nanocrystalline TiB2 Addition on Properties of Copper Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites

The present investigation aims at understanding the influence of nanocrystalline TiB 2 powder on thermal and mechanical properties of Epoxy–Cu microcomposites. The nanocrystalline TiB 2 powder has been synthesized by SHS and the particle size is in the range of 60–70 nm as revealed from TEM studies. The Epoxy–Cu microcomposites are casted using hand-layout technique and cured under vacuum at room temperature. The nanocomposites have been prepared by addition of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 vol% TiB 2 to Epoxy–4 vol% Cu microcomposite. Ductility has increased by 3–4 times in comparison to neat epoxy, and it has increased by 2–3 times in comparison to microcomposites. The Vickers hardness of composites shows an increasing trend with increasing particulate content. XRD studies show the intensity of amorphous epoxy phase decreasing with increasing filler content. The SEM micrographs show a uniform and dispersed distribution of Cu particles in the epoxy matrix. DSC studies reveal the glass transition temperature, T g , of the epoxy composites to be higher than the neat epoxy and a decreasing trend is observed with increasing filler content.