Investigation of physical, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties of alumina and graphene nanoplatelets filled epoxy nanocomposites

In this research, the different weight percentages of alumina and graphene nanoplatelets were homogeneously dispersed in the epoxy resin by a sonication and ball milling mixing process. The effect alumina and graphene nanoplatelets filled epoxy nanocomposites of physical, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties were investigated. The epoxy nanocomposites showed a significant enhancement of 43.5% flexural strength and 29.5% flexural modulus for the combined filler loading of 2 wt% of alumina and 0.5 wt% of graphene nanoplatelets sample (EA2G0.5) than the neat epoxy. The EA2G0.5 epoxy nanocomposites sample showed an enhancement of 68.1% for the storage modulus. The loss modulus peak shifts toward the right side than the neat epoxy, which is showing better thermal stability of the composite. The differential scanning calorimetry technique was used to study the curing characteristics of the epoxy and epoxy nanocomposites. The scanning electron microscopy images of a fractured surface of the neat epoxy and alumina and graphene nanoplatelets filled epoxy nanocomposites showed the dispersion of the fillers, which is the sole cause of the enhancement of flexural properties. In general, these developed nanocomposites are suitable to be used as parent material in electrical and electronic packaging applications.