Optimization of compression moulding parameters of multiwall carbon nanotube/synthetic graphite/epoxy nanocomposites with respect to electrical conductivity

Hendra Suherman; Irmayani; Hendra Suherman; Irmayani

doi:10.3934/matersci.2019.4.621

AIMS Materials Science

2019, Volume 6, Issue 4: 621-634. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2019.4.621

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Research article

Optimization of compression moulding parameters of multiwall carbon nanotube/synthetic graphite/epoxy nanocomposites with respect to electrical conductivity

Hendra Suherman ^{1
,
,},
Irmayani ²

1.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Bung Hatta, 25143 Padang, West Sumatera-Indonesia
2.
Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Ekasakti, 25133 Padang, West Sumatera-Indonesia

Received: 03 April 2019 Accepted: 28 June 2019 Published: 15 July 2019

This study aims to optimize the electrical conductivity of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/synthetic graphite (SG)/epoxy nanocomposites through varying the compression moulding parameters. SG and MWCNTs were used as primary and secondary fillers, respectively. The moulding temperature, moulding pressure, and moulding time were the factors controlled in this research, using the orthogonal array (OA)-Taguchi method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) were used to analyse the results. The optimum nanocomposite electrical conductivity obtained was 163 S/cm, exceeding the electrical conductivity required by the Department of Energy of the United States for bipolar plate applications.
- compression moulding parameters,
- electrical conductivity,
- bipolar plate,
- Taguchi method
Citation: Hendra Suherman, Irmayani. Optimization of compression moulding parameters of multiwall carbon nanotube/synthetic graphite/epoxy nanocomposites with respect to electrical conductivity[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2019, 6(4): 621-634. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2019.4.621

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Abstract

This study aims to optimize the electrical conductivity of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/synthetic graphite (SG)/epoxy nanocomposites through varying the compression moulding parameters. SG and MWCNTs were used as primary and secondary fillers, respectively. The moulding temperature, moulding pressure, and moulding time were the factors controlled in this research, using the orthogonal array (OA)-Taguchi method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) were used to analyse the results. The optimum nanocomposite electrical conductivity obtained was 163 S/cm, exceeding the electrical conductivity required by the Department of Energy of the United States for bipolar plate applications.

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