Evaluation of the fracture properties of polymer mortars reinforced with nanoparticles

Polymer-based nanocomposites have shown superior mechanical, thermal, as well as multifunctional properties when compared to plain polymer matrices. This fact has lead to a great research activity focused on incorporating polymeric materials with nanoparticles over the last years. The present research investigates the influence of nanoparticles reinforcement on fracture properties of polymer mortars, with particular regards to fracture and toughening mechanisms. This investigation was carried-out for a series of polymer mortars, containing varying amounts of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles dispersed in epoxy matrices.