Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Materials Based on Aliphatic Polyurethanes and Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this research, hybrid materials based on aliphatic polyurethanes and hydrophilic aluminum(III) oxide nanoparticles were synthesized. From an environmental point of view, synthesized hybrid materials represent significant engineering materials because the products of their thermal degradation are significantly less toxic compared to the products of thermal decomposition of polyurethane, for which production aromatic isocyanates are used. The presence of uniformly distributed Al2O3 nanoparticles in the sample containing 0.5 wt. % of inorganic filler influenced the additional formation of hydrogen bonds, as well as the improvement of the mechanical properties of the obtained polyurethane hybrid materials. Good mechanical properties, together with appropriate properties of thermal stability, allow the obtained hybrid materials based on aliphatic polyurethanes and Al2O3 inorganic filler to be used in the automotive industry (hydraulic seals, protective films), furniture and in the production of sports equipment.