MWCNT-modified polymer nanocomposites: Effect of backup plate fixtures

Abstract

The inclusion of nanoparticles significantly affects the physico-mechanical behavior of polymer laminates, thereby enhancing their manufacturability and machinability. To meet the growing demand for high-strength, lightweight materials in engineering applications, carbon nanomaterials are being added to carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRP). The proposed experimental work examines the effect of Multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) loading and a novel approach on the machinability evaluation of milling via. with and without a backup plate (BP) arrangement. Adding 1 wt% of CNT resulted in better impact (43.58%), stiffness (22.61%), and flexural strength (24.97%) for the developed composite. The machinability characteristics were assessed by varying the CNT weight fraction (1–3 wt%) in the epoxy matrix and the machining speed (S), feed rate (F), and depth of cut (D). The variance analysis of machining outcomes, which included material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR), and cutting force (FC), was conducted to assess trade-offs in process efficiency. The abrasive properties of CNT with a backup plate (BP) resulted in increased MRR (2.72%), decreased SR (5.47%), and decreased FC (3.04%). This study examines the machining behavior of CNT/CFRP for advanced sustainable structural components, thereby greatly improving surface integrity by reducing fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, and interfacial debonding.