The aim of this work was to investigate thermal properties of acrylate-based
composite combined with alumina-based particles. The composites were made of
poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified with dimethyl itaconate (DMI) as
a matrix. As reinforcement were used alumina particles (Al2O3) and alumina
doped with iron oxide (Al2O3-Fe) modified with 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxylane
(AM) and flax oil fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel - BD). According to
the thermal conductivity measurements, the highest thermal conductivity
values had the composite with alumina particles with the highest alpha phase
content. With the addition of modified alumina particles to PMMA/DMI matrix
mechanical properties were improved (tensile strength, modulus of elasticity
and elongation at break). Composite with 3 wt. % Al2O3-Fe-AM particles had
the most improved mechanical properties. It was noticed that this composite,
compared to PMMA, had the lowest temperature in a crack zone (10.28%) and
that is due to the better stiffness and highest thermal conductivity. The
results indicated that the Sobel fractured surface area is related to the
crack energy, which is reflected by the temperature of sample monitored by
thermal vision.