Impact of Dispersion Methods on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube (CNT)/Iron Oxide (Fe 3 O 4)/Epoxy Composites.

Integrating nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) into epoxy composites has attracted significant interest due to their potential to enhance mechanical properties. This study evaluates the impact of dispersion quality on the mechanical performance of CNT/Fe₃O₄/epoxy composites, comparing stirring and sonication methods at three different loadings: 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.%. Tensile testing revealed that sonicated composites consistently outperformed stirred composites, with a significant increase in the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). However, fracture strain decreased in both composite types compared to pure epoxy, with sonicated composites experiencing a more significant reduction than stirred composites. These results underscore the importance of high-quality dispersion for optimizing mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]