synthesis and characterization al2o3/novolac/fiberglass nanocomposite: modification of thermal stability and thermal insulation properties

Alumina (al2o3) nanoparticles were used as the additive for modifying a novolac phenolic resin using the solution mixing method. different weight percentages of nano alumina 3 and 8 w% were loaded into the resin, called 3arc and 8arc nanocomposites, respectively. these nanocomposites were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (fe-sem), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (xrf), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (eds), and oxyacetylene flame test (oft). the fe-sem images exhibited that at low concentrations (3arc), the nano alumina particles were dispersed uniformly on the surface of novolac resin; however, at high concentrations, the dispersion was repressed by aggregation in the nanocomposites. oft proved that with increasing alumina content in the nanocomposite, the back temperature of the sample decreases and thus improves the thermal insulation properties.