Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A phase transformation in an alumina gel provided an elegant means of isolating the effect of filler properties on the wear resistance of particle-reinforced thermosetting polymer–matrix composites. This transformation was useful because it takes place without significantly altering filler porosity. This produced a wear surface apparently reflecting the vermicular growth patterns in the γ-alumina in the δ-aluminum monohydrate matrix. Nucleation of γ-alumina in the gel matrix produced wear rates comparable to commercial composites.