Enhance Unsaturated Polyester Resin's Mechanical and Thermal Properties by Adding Al2O3

Title Enhance Unsaturated Polyester Resin's Mechanical and Thermal Properties by Adding Al2O3 Authors Raed H. AL-Saqa, Omar A. Gadaan, Ali H. Mohammed, Mohammad M. Uonis, Shahed A. Dheyab, Hameed H. Ahmed Journal Iraqi Journal of Applied Physics (IJAP) Abstract From using aluminum oxide as a reinforcing agent and unsaturated polyester resin as the base matrix, a composite material was created in this manuscript. The study's main objective was to assess important mechanical characteristics, such as impact resistance, compressive strength, and hardness. Samples with different Al2O3 weight fractions ranging from 2% to 10% were prepared in order to examine the impact of filler concentration, the findings showed that an Al2O3 content of 6% produced the best mechanical performance improvement, furthermore, by curing the composite samples at 10°C, 25°C, 80°C, and 150°C the impact of processing temperature was investigated. The composites showed significant improvements in hardness, compressive strength, and impact resistance at 25°C, along with a decrease in Young's modulus. The mechanical properties showed different trends at different temperatures (10°C, 80°C, and 150°C), with some showing an increase and others a decrease. In addition, it was found that, in comparison to room temperature, thermal conductivity rose with increasing and decreasing temperatures. These results imply that the mechanical and thermal behavior of Al2O3 reinforced unsaturated polyester composites is strongly influenced by both filler content and processing temperature.