Composite Materials
Manoj Kumar Shukla; Kamal Sharma
Abstract
The synergetic effect of amine functionalized multiple graphene layers (AMGL) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (AMWCNT) nano-fillers mixed with epoxy resin is investigated on the particle size distribution (PSD) and tensile properties of hybrid composites. The hybrid composites with an equal ratio of ...
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The synergetic effect of amine functionalized multiple graphene layers (AMGL) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (AMWCNT) nano-fillers mixed with epoxy resin is investigated on the particle size distribution (PSD) and tensile properties of hybrid composites. The hybrid composites with an equal ratio of nano-fillers at a weight percent of 0.25, 0.50, 1, and 2 wt % are fabricated. The particle size analysis (PSA) is performed by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique and image analysis (IA) method; both verify PSD for composites. This is further verified by the analyses of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images using Image J software. The optimum composite particle size of 6.8 µm and homogeneous mixture with a poly-dispersity index (PI) of 0.74 is investigated for a sample having filler content of 0.5 wt %. Tensile stress and elastic modulus is also found to be maximum at 0.5 wt %, which is 49.91 MPa of 2302 Mpa, respectively. The chemical composition of composite affecting its PSD is characterized by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) process. Dimensional analysis of particle size in the domain of epoxy matrix provides deep insights to the researchers and may also provide them a direction for selecting an appropriate material for a particular application.
Mechanics of Materials
Fulufhelo Nemavhola; Simon Dhlamini; Rudzani Sigwadi; Touhami Mokrani
Abstract
This paper presents the results of mechanical strength of wet and dry zirconia/ Nafion® nano-composite membrane. The tensile tests were conducted to determine elastic modulus and stiffness of dry and wet pristine Nafion® membrane and modified Nafion® membrane. The composite membranes were ...
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This paper presents the results of mechanical strength of wet and dry zirconia/ Nafion® nano-composite membrane. The tensile tests were conducted to determine elastic modulus and stiffness of dry and wet pristine Nafion® membrane and modified Nafion® membrane. The composite membranes were prepared by recast method of different synthesized zirconium oxide with the zirconia content of 10% by weight. The uniaxial mechanical properties of nano-composite membranes and recast Nafion® membrane were captured using a CellScale UStretch uniaxial testing system. The length, width, and thickness of samples were measured using a Vernier caliper and recorded prior to testing. It was found that elastic modulus of the wet Nafion recast is 62.06 %, 35.26 %, 30.79 % and 35.26 % higher than that of Nafion®/ Zr-100, Nafion/® Zr-80, Nafion®/Zr-50, and Nafion®/Zr-0, respectively. The elastic modulus of dry Nafion recast, Nafion®/Zr-100, Nafion®/Zr-80, Nafion®/Zr-50, and Nafion/Zr-0 membranes are 46.29 %, 83.31 %, 64.81 %, 59.84 %, and 78.36 % higher than those of wet Nafion® recast, Nafion®/Zr-100, Nafion®/Zr-80, Nafion®/Zr-50, and Nafion®/Zr-0 membranes, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that when the water content increases in the nano-composite membranes the mechanical strength also decreases.
