Experimental Analysis of Thermal and Mechanical Performance of ZnO-Reinforced Nylon Composites

Abstract

This work investigates the impact of ZnO nanoparticle incorporation (at 0, 1, and 2 wt %) on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of nylon. Nylon/ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated through a two-step process involving dry mixing followed by single-screw extrusion. Tensile testing at varying strain rates (0.02–2) revealed strain rate hardening behavior for both neat nylon and nanocomposites. All three primary mechanical properties ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength, and tensile modulus exhibited strain rate sensitivity. Furthermore, nanoparticle incorporation led to significant enhancements in these properties, with the 2 wt % ZnO nanocomposites displaying a 45% increase in tensile modulus and a 26% increase in UTS compared to neat nylon. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated improved thermal stability for the nanocomposites, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated a moderate increase in glass transition temperature (\({{T}_{{\text{g}}}}\)). A nonlinear model was developed to capture strain rate-dependent behavior of both neat nylon and nanocomposites based on tensile test data. This study shows 2 wt % ZnO nanocomposite exhibits superior mechanical performance, with a 23.4% increase in tensile modulus compared to neat nylon. While ZnO nanoparticles significantly enhance the mechanical properties of nylon, they have a minimal impact on ductility.