New Polymer Concrete with Superior Ductility and Fracture Toughness Using Alumina Nanoparticles

This study investigates the effect of alumina nanoparticles (ANPs) on tension and fracture characteristics of polymer concrete (PC). ANPs with a maximum particle size of 50nm were used at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0wt.% of epoxy resin. Tensile strength, tensile failure strain, and fracture toughness (KIC, GIC, and JIC) were determined experimentally. A PC with superior ductility showing a tensile failure strain of 4.89% (compared with 2.56% for neat PC) was observed at ANP content of 3.0wt.%. Using ANPs in producing epoxy PC can significantly improve ductility (+60.6%) and fracture toughness (+131.8%) compared with neat PC. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations were conducted to understand the role ANPs play to manifest the observed improvements in tension and fracture characteristics of PC.