Enhanced Dispersion and Tensile Properties of Graphene/CNT Epoxy Composites by Varying the Filler Ratio
Manoj Kumar Shukla1, Kamal Sharma2
1Manoj Kumar Shukla, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering & Technology, GLA University, Mathura (U.P), India.
2Kamal Sharma, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering & Technology, GLA University, Mathura (U.P), India.
Manuscript received on 05 February 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 13 February 2019 | Manuscript published on 28 February 2019 | PP: 103-107 | Volume-8 Issue-4, February 2019 | Retrieval Number: D2656028419/19©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: In this study a three phase hybrid composite is fabricated comprising of graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT) nano-fillers reinforced in epoxy resin. The filler contents were maintained 0 and 1 wt. % and the ratio of graphene and CNT fillers were 1:1, 1:3 and 3:1. Effect of filler ratio on dispersion and tensile properties of hybrid composite mixture are investigated. Observations of the samples by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Image Analysis (IA) confirmed formation 3-D hybrid nanostructure. The best dispersion is observed for graphene: CNT content 1:3 indicating good bonding between both the fillers and epoxy matrix. The maximum tensile strength of 50.28 MPa and elastic modulus of 2848 MPa is observed for filler ratio 1:3 (graphene: CNT) which is 57 and 40 % increase as compared with pristine epoxy composite. For this configuration homogeneous mixture with Poly Dispersity Index (PDI) of 0.513 is investigated for the sample. The value of PDI is observed to be lowest by both Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis methods which make agreement of results. Analysis of PSD of composite mixture provides a direction for selecting appropriate filler content and fabrication process.
Keyword: Particle Size Distribution (PSD), Hybrid Nano Composite, Image Analysis (IA), Tensile Strength, Elastic Modulus.
Scope of the Article: Composite Materials