Micro Scratch Behavior Study of Titanium Dioxide and Graphene Nanoplatelets Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites

Efficiency and maintenance reduction in polymer nanocomposites are critical objectives for engineers and scientists to have an optimized machine component design. A crucial factor in achieving these goals is scratch resistance, which necessitates careful reinforcement selection for polymer composites. In this study, the individual nanofillers titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) were morphologically characterized using electron microscopes, and molecular bonds analysis of epoxy-based hybrid nanocomposites was conducted using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The amount of TiO₂ was kept constant at 2 phr (parts per resin) by weight, and GnP was varied as 0, 1, and 2 phr in the samples along with neat epoxy. A scratch adhesion test was performed, applying a constant and progressive load. The results indicate that an optimal combination of TiO₂ and GnP nanoparticles can enhance the scratch resistance properties of epoxy, as evidenced by favorable coefficients of friction (CoF) and scratch depths. Furthermore, optical and field emission scanning electron microscopes (FESEM) were employed to investigate scratch deformation in the nanocomposite samples. This article comprehensively reviews relevant literature, experimental details, significant findings, and a comparative analysis of scratch conditions in hybrid nanocomposites.