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Comparative Mechanical, Tribological and Morphological Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites Reinforced With Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE - SPECIAL ISSUE - Impact of Advanced Tribological Technologies on Modern Industry
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Abstract

Addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) guarantees enhancement of the characteristics offered in the polymer composite materials with negligible weight increase. In this research work, ultrasonication and compression moulding technique were used for the manufacturing of MWCNT–epoxy composites. Five formulations of epoxy composites of 5.0 ± 0.1 mm thickness with symmetrical geometry were manufactured. This research focuses on analysing the mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact and hardness measurements), tribological (with the help of Pin-on-Disc tribometer) and morphological [by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)] properties on MWCNT–epoxy composites. The MWCNTs were blended in resins having 0 (neat sample), 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt%. The results showed that 0.5 wt% of MWCNT–epoxy composite possesses improved properties, while further increment in concentration of MWCNT had detrimental effect on the properties. It was also noted from the TEM analyses that intense interactivity exists among the epoxy and MWCNTs and this further assists in improving the interfacial bonding strength among the resin and nanoparticles. The results of this work were adequate in the fields where greater mechanical, tribological and morphological properties were expected, like in structural, aerospace and automobiles industries.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the coordinators of “ITRS 2020” (International Tribology Research Symposium) for presenting (abstract id: ITRS109) a part of this work for the symposium which was held from 5th to 7th November 2020 and Centre for Engineering Research and Development (CERD), APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (APJAKTU) (KTU/RESEARCH 2/4068/2019), for providing financial funding for this initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, 641114, India

    Rittin Abraham Kurien & D. Philip Selvaraj

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, AAA College of Engineering and Technology, Sivakasi, 626005, India

    M. Sekar

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, 686532, India

    Rittin Abraham Kurien & Chacko Preno Koshy

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Muthoot Institute of Technology and Science, Ernakulam, 682308, India

    K. M. Praveen

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  1. Rittin Abraham Kurien
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  2. D. Philip Selvaraj
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  4. Chacko Preno Koshy
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Correspondence to Rittin Abraham Kurien.

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Kurien, R.A., Selvaraj, D.P., Sekar, M. et al. Comparative Mechanical, Tribological and Morphological Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites Reinforced With Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Arab J Sci Eng 47, 8059–8067 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05984-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05984-y

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