Application of Taguchi's Approach in the Optimization of Tensile Properties of Epoxy/Nanoclay/MWCNT Nanocomposites

This paper reports the improvement in tensile strength of epoxy by using binary hybrid nanocomposites of nanoclay and multi-wall carbon nanotube using a solution casting method. The effect of clay/MWCNT ratio, types of solvent, clay cation, composition of LENR, cure time and cure temperature on the tensile properties of epoxy nanocomposites were investigated using Taguchi Method. Orthogonal array L27 is chosen for sample preparations. Analysis of Mean (ANOM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to identify the dominant factors and the optimum values of clay/MWCNT ratio and settings of other process parameters. Confirmation of experiment was performed with the optimum parameter settings and the measured mechanical properties were compared with the predicted results. Morphologies of the fracture surface of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) test were employed to analyse the dispersion structure in the modified samples.