Flexural properties of epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites /
Wan Zateel Aqmaer Wan Ab Halim,
Flexural properties of epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites / Wan Zateel Aqmaer Bt Wan Ab Halim - xi, 52 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-COM
Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology
Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2025
Includes bibliographical references
This thesis reports the processing and optimization of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to enhance flexural properties. This work aims to optimize parameters in processing epoxy and to investigate the impact of GNP loading on the properties of the resulting composites. Firstly, the parameters used to process epoxy were studied and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). In this phase, two parameters were considered which are the rotational mixing speed in revolution per minute (rpm) of the stirrer and the curing temperature (°C) of the oven. The response for the study was set as flexural strength (MPa). From the study, it was found that the optimum parameters can be achieved at a mixing speed of 1155 rpm and 100 °C of cure temperature. These optimum parameters predict the response to be at 16.67 MPa. A verification test was performed to validate the prediction value given by the RSM and the tested sample yielded 16.57 MPa of strength for the sample prepared using those optimum parameters. These optimum parameters were used and forwarded into the second phase of the work where nanocomposites consisting of epoxy and GNPs was developed. In this stage, loading of GNPs in weight percentage (%) was varied to observe the effects of GNPs content to the whole properties of the epoxy system. As a result, it was found that the flexural strength of epoxy/GNPs nanocomposites increased relative to neat epoxy. For example, epoxy containing 4 wt.% of GNPs increased to 17.41 MPa compared to 16.57 MPa for neat epoxy but decreased to 15.74 MPa with 6wt. % GNPs. The flexural modulus also exhibited the same trend with higher modulus was observed for epoxy/GNPs compare to the modulus of neat epoxy. For example, epoxy containing 6 wt.% of GNPs increased to 6.07 GPa compared to 5.19 GPa for neat epoxy. Morphological observation through scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that neat epoxy has smooth fracture surface indicating less or no obstacles from the specimen to resist the load. On the other hand, epoxy/GNP nanocomposites indicate a rougher fracture surface, suggesting that GNPs become obstacles to the load, helping to resist cracks. As a conclusion, the study reveals that inclusion of GNPs enhanced the flexural strength and modulus of epoxy, but excessive particles deteriorated the properties due to agglomeration.
THE0010075 (Local)
Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology--Dissertations
Universities and colleges--Dissertations
Thesis--Dissertations
Flexural properties of epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites / Wan Zateel Aqmaer Bt Wan Ab Halim - xi, 52 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-COM
Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology
Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2025
Includes bibliographical references
This thesis reports the processing and optimization of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to enhance flexural properties. This work aims to optimize parameters in processing epoxy and to investigate the impact of GNP loading on the properties of the resulting composites. Firstly, the parameters used to process epoxy were studied and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). In this phase, two parameters were considered which are the rotational mixing speed in revolution per minute (rpm) of the stirrer and the curing temperature (°C) of the oven. The response for the study was set as flexural strength (MPa). From the study, it was found that the optimum parameters can be achieved at a mixing speed of 1155 rpm and 100 °C of cure temperature. These optimum parameters predict the response to be at 16.67 MPa. A verification test was performed to validate the prediction value given by the RSM and the tested sample yielded 16.57 MPa of strength for the sample prepared using those optimum parameters. These optimum parameters were used and forwarded into the second phase of the work where nanocomposites consisting of epoxy and GNPs was developed. In this stage, loading of GNPs in weight percentage (%) was varied to observe the effects of GNPs content to the whole properties of the epoxy system. As a result, it was found that the flexural strength of epoxy/GNPs nanocomposites increased relative to neat epoxy. For example, epoxy containing 4 wt.% of GNPs increased to 17.41 MPa compared to 16.57 MPa for neat epoxy but decreased to 15.74 MPa with 6wt. % GNPs. The flexural modulus also exhibited the same trend with higher modulus was observed for epoxy/GNPs compare to the modulus of neat epoxy. For example, epoxy containing 6 wt.% of GNPs increased to 6.07 GPa compared to 5.19 GPa for neat epoxy. Morphological observation through scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that neat epoxy has smooth fracture surface indicating less or no obstacles from the specimen to resist the load. On the other hand, epoxy/GNP nanocomposites indicate a rougher fracture surface, suggesting that GNPs become obstacles to the load, helping to resist cracks. As a conclusion, the study reveals that inclusion of GNPs enhanced the flexural strength and modulus of epoxy, but excessive particles deteriorated the properties due to agglomeration.
THE0010075 (Local)
Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology--Dissertations
Universities and colleges--Dissertations
Thesis--Dissertations