The effects of epoxy composites (EP) filled with tetrapod-like zinc oxide whiskers (T-ZnOw) were investigated in this study. The composites were blended by a self-regulation powerful shear mixer at different mixing clearances. The microstructure, curing behavior, mechanical performance, thermal and electrical properties were examined. The results showed that the particles of T-ZnOw are dispersed more uniformly in the epoxy matrix mixed by the powerful shear mixer compared with those mixed by the traditional mixing method. Both the initial reaction of extrapolation temperature (T0) and the peak temperature (Tp) enlarge with the augment of the clearance (δ). The range of curing temperature narrows down. ΔH, tensile and impact strength of composites decreases with the increasing of δ.

Keywords: epoxy resin; tetrapod-like zinc oxide whiskers; powerful shear mixer; property