Fabrication of structurally strong and thermally stable hybrid nanocomposites based on graphene/TiO2/epoxy with improved anticorrosive and EMI shielding properties is reported.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of SiC reinforcement along with immiscible element addition in spray formed Al-Si base alloy. The investigation is done for four different compositions, i.e., Al-Si base alloy, Al-Si/SiC, Al-Si-5Sn/SiC and Al-Si-10Sn/SiC composite. The dry sliding wear properties of base alloy and composites were investigated against EN 31 steel at five different normal loads (14.7, 24.5, 34.3, 44.1 and 53.9 N). The tests were carried out in dry sliding conditions with a sliding speed of 1.6 ms -1 over pin-on-disc tribometer. Each composition is tested at four different temperatures 50, 75, 100 and 150°C. To determine the wear mechanism, the worn surfaces of the samples were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composites emerge to be better wear resistant material than base alloy especially at higher loads. The optimum wear reduction was obtained in Al-Si-10Sn/SiC composite at all the different normal loads and temperatures.

The epoxy based composite adhesives have been prepared by reinforcing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treated SiO2 nanoparticle with varying content of 2, 4, and 6 wt% in comparison of neat epoxy. PDMS treated SiO2/epoxy composites are fabricated using an ultrasonic mixing process. Dynamic mechanical analysis has been carried out to evaluate the viscoelastic properties on every group of the epoxy composite. The effect of PDMS treated SiO2 nanoparticles reinforcement on viscoelastic properties of epoxy resin have been studied in the terms of storage modulus and tanδ values with respect to temperature. The dispersion conditions of the PDMS–SiO2 nanoparticles in epoxy adhesive have been identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Thermal gravimetric analysis has been used to identify the thermal stability of each group of PDMS–SiO2/epoxy composite. The effect of PDMS–SiO2/epoxy composite adhesive on the lap joints of mechanically treated mild steel substrate has also been investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2889–2896, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

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strength and hardness by 12.5 and 12%, respectively. The enhanced tensile strength and hardness is justified through TEM micrograph showing presence of dislocation.