Effect of UV and Hydrothermal Artificial Aging on Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Epoxy and Green Chemistry Synthesized Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticle Filled Epoxy Composites

In this study, the effects of various artificial aging conditions on pure epoxy and green chemistry method synthesized Fe2O3 filled epoxy (Epoxy/Fe2O3) composites that are sensitive to UV, moisture, and temperature were investigated. Three different artificial aging procedures, namely UV, hydrothermal at 25 degrees C and 70 degrees C, were applied to each sample separately for 2 and 4 weeks. Characterization of Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized by green chemistry method was performed by FTIR/ATR, XRD, and FESEM. Characterization of mechanical properties of the composites was performed by tensile test and Shore D hardness test; characterization of thermal properties was performed by TGA, and morphological properties were characterized by FESEM. UV aging led to a decrease in Shore D hardness for neat epoxy, whereas the addition of Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed a hardness-enhancing effect. Notably, after 4 weeks of UV exposure, the Shore D hardness of nanoparticle-reinforced composites increased by 14.37%. Tensile test results revealed that Fe2O3-reinforced composites exhibited higher tensile strength than neat epoxy under all aging conditions. For instance, under UV aging, tensile strength increased by 18.95% and 30.25% after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, in the reinforced composites. In conclusion, Fe2O3 nanoparticle reinforcement significantly increased both the mechanical strength of the epoxy matrix and its resistance to artificial aging.