Influence of Graphene Nano Fillers and Carbon Nano Tubes on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Hollow Glass Microsphere Epoxy Composites

Advancements in Solid-State Hydrogen Storage: A Review on the Glass Microspheres

Glass microspheres, with their unique internal structure and chemical stability, offer a promising solution for the challenges of hydrogen storage and transmission, potentially advancing the utility of hydrogen as a safe and efficient energy source. In this review, we systematically evaluate various treatment and modification strategies, including fusion, sol-gel, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and compare the performance of different types of glass microspheres. Our synthesis of current research findings reveals that specific low-cost and environmentally friendly modification techniques can significantly enhance the hydrogen storage efficiency of glass microspheres, with some methods increasing storage capacity by up to 32% under certain conditions. Through a detailed life-cycle and cost-benefit assessment, our study highlights the economic and sustainability advantages of using modified glass microspheres. For example, selected alternative materials used in lightweight vehicles have been shown to reduce density by approximately 10% while reducing costs. This review not only underscores the contributions of modified glass microspheres to overcoming the limitations of current hydrogen storage technologies but also provides a systematic framework for improving their performance in hydrogen storage applications. Our research suggests that modified glass microspheres could help to make hydrogen energy more commercially viable and environmentally friendly.

Room and High Temperature Tensile Responses of Tib2-Graphene Al 7075 Hybrid Composite Processed through Squeeze Casting

The development of aluminium composite with the inclusion of advanced materials is a continuous research process due to the increasing industrial demand for advanced hybrid materials. To cater for this need, this research work focuses on the development of Al 7075 alloy reinforced with TiB₂ and graphene and on the evaluation of its strengthening mechanism. Two different modes of improving the strength of the hybrid composite have been followed; one is by the inclusion of graphene at three levels of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3%, and another by the processing route, squeeze casting technique by compression of the molten hybrid composite slurry before casting. The microstructure and characterisation of the composite material are examined and analysed with the help of XRD, SEM, EDAX and chemical spectroscopy. A microstructure evaluation is employed to justify the homogenous dispersal and the existence of reinforced particles. A tensile test is conducted at room temperature and high temperature environments to assess the tensile strength. The research outcome affirms that a significant improvement in tensile and hardness has been noted in comparison with base alloy. The fracture-morphology results affirm the change in fracture mode from brittle to ductile when the tensile testing environment changes from room temperature to high temperature. Finally, the dispersion strengthening mechanism is validated with an empirical approach.

Quasi-Static Flexural Behavior of Epoxy-Matrix-Reinforced Crump Rubber Composites

Waste tires have emerged as a severe environmental threat worldwide as they create a number of disposal and landfill burden issues. In the present study, environmental pollutant crump rubber derived from waste discarded tires was reinforced with epoxy resin and prepared by means of an open-mold casting method to assess its mechanical properties. The impact of crump rubber content (0, 10, 20 and 30 vol.%) on the mechanical behavior of the composites was assessed using three-point bending tests at a constant strain rate of 0.1 and 0.01 mm/s. The stress–strain profiles of the 0.01 mm/s specimens revealed higher strains to failure compared with the 0.1 mm/s tested specimens and all the specimens showed brittle failure. Irrespective of the strain rates, tests revealed a marginal increase in the strength values of the composites and a significant increase in the modulus of all the composites compared with neat epoxy specimens. The results suggest that crump rubber can be effectively used in utilitarian composites requiring good flexural modulus and strength properties. Crump rubber epoxy composites with 30 vol.% of crump rubber showed higher modulus and strength compared with neat epoxy and other composites owing to the toughening phase induced by the crump rubber particles. The failure and fracture features of the specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.