Studies on mechanical and tribological characteristics of hybrid carbon nanotube alumina filled epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

Contemporary engineering applications require polymer materials that are cost effective and at the lighter and stronger A significant example in the current development in the polymer materials are to have low weight and high strength ratio that is suitable for automobile and aerospace applications On par with fuel economy along with improved engine performance becomes more critical In modern and advanced engineering systems materials are required with a broad spectrum of properties which are quite difficult to match the mono materials systems Hybrid polymer nanocomposites have been noted for such tailored property combinations that gets with a wide range of engineering applications The combinations which include high specific strength impact micro hardness superior wear resistance and satisfactory levels of erosion resistance Hybrid polymer nanocomposites succeeds conventional materials The applications are extended from predominantly aerospace to automobile marine and sports goods industry Hybrid polymer nanocomposites are basically polymer matrix reinforced with two or more organic and inorganic materials In the current scenario carbon based materials like carbon nanotubes graphene and ceramic materials like alumina silicon carbide and magnesium are used for hybridization of a polymer Epoxy remains the most used polymer in polymer composites materials as the matrix was due to its inherent structural and chemical resistance properties Furthermore intention of the use of carbon nanotubes are due to the most outstanding properties of low density small size high aspect ratio high rigidity high tensile strength excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity which have resulted in CNTs being extensively used in the development of hybrid nanocomposites However now a days alumina has been used as a hybrid component of CNTs hybrid compound that is used as filler in polymer composites systems Alumina is widely used in hybridization together with CNTs due to their high hardness