The Effect of GnPs and Curing Condition on the Flexural Properties of Epoxy/XNBR Composite

This work aimed to investigate the effect of two factors in two levels including graphene nano-platelests(GnPs) at 1 and 2 wt.% and post curing temperature (PCT) at 140 and 150°C on the flexural properties includingstrength and modulus of epoxy/ carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) composites. Nanocomposites were mademanually using of a mechanical stirrer. Three-point bending tests were performed in room temperature to evaluate theflexural properties of the samples. Further, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the fracturesurfaces of them. The results showed that the presence of GnPs in epoxy/XNBR composites increased flexural moduluswhile an increase in PCT did not have much effect on the flexural modulus. Also it was found that adding 1 wt.% GnPsand PCT of 140°C improved the flexural strength of the composite.