Effect of Ti ₃ <scp> C ₂ T _x MXene </scp> Incorporation on the Mechanical Performance and Microstructural Characteristics of Bulk Molding Compound Composites

ABSTRACT Bulk molding compound (BMC) composites are widely used in engineering applications; however, improving their mechanical response through low‐content nanoscale modification remains challenging for highly filled thermoset molding systems. In this study, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene was incorporated into an industrial BMC formulation under unchanged compression‐molding conditions to investigate its influence on mechanical and microstructural characteristics. The unmodified BMC and composites containing 0.238, 0.476, and 0.714 wt.% MXene were characterized using tensile testing, Izod impact testing, Shore D hardness, FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM, and SEM–EDS. Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene addition improved the mechanical response within the investigated low‐content range. The average tensile strength increased from 14.24 MPa for unmodified BMC to 24.00 MPa for the 0.714 wt.% MXene‐added composite, a 68.6% improvement. The tensile modulus increased from 7.85 to 10.14 GPa, absorbed impact energy increased by up to 52.6%, and Shore D hardness increased from 70.6 to 75.8. TEM provided local evidence of MXene‐related layered and partially overlapped regions, while SEM–EDS supported Ti‐containing MXene‐related regions in powder mixtures and molded bulk composites. BMC/MXene‐0.71 exhibited the highest average mechanical values, whereas BMC/MXene‐0.48 showed a more repeatable mechanical response and a comparatively balanced distribution tendency.