Thermal expansion and mechanical properties of phenolic resin/ZrW 2 O 8 composites

Phenolic resin/ZrW 2 O 8 composites were successfully fabricated and their coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as well as mechanical properties was investigated. The CTE of the composites decreases from 46 × 10 –6 to 14 × 10 –6 K −1 when the ZrW 2 O 8 volume fraction increases from 0 to 52 vol %. The CTE of the composites is analyzed by some theoretical models; Schapery's upper bound provides the best estimate of the reduction in CTE. The Barcol hardness of the composites increases with an increase in the ZrW 2 O 8 volume fraction. The bending strength of the composites with 19–25 vol % of ZrW 2 O 8 fillers shows a maximum value of 130 MPa, which is 45% larger than that of phenolic resin without fillers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007