Experimental Investigation on the Tensile Behavior of MWCNT – Nano Silica Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

This study aimed to investigate the mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites filled with single and binary combination of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-nano silica (NS) nanoparticles. The epoxy nanocomposites were produced using the mold casting method, and different filler ratios were employed to create nanocomposite samples. For the single particle-filled samples, filler ratios of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 wt.% for MWCNT and 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.% for NS were used. Additionally, hybrid samples were produced using filler ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (MWCNT: NS). The tensile test results indicated notable enhancements in the tensile behavior of the nanocomposite, attributed to the integration of nanoparticles into the epoxy matrix. Particularly, tensile strength values improved by 28.35% and 21.25% in C3 (0.5 wt.% MWCNT) and S2 (1.0 wt.% NS) composite samples compared to the pure sample, respectively. Additionally, the hybrid nanoparticle-filled composite samples introduced a synergistic effect on the tensile behavior of the nanocomposite. Especially, the hybrid sample H1 (1:1) showed the maximum enhancement in tensile strength by 44.26%. Significant improvements were also observed in tensile strain values. Compared to the control sample, the maximum improvement was recorded as 143% in the H2 hybrid sample (1:2).