Effect of Hybrid Ferrite–Graphene–Graphene Oxide Reinforcement on the Mechanical Behavior of Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

Epoxy nanocomposites that contain a hybrid filler made of ferrite (Fe₂O₃) together with either graphene or graphene oxide were prepared in the present work by simple casting at four loading levels: 1, 3, 5 and 7 wt%. The aim was to track how the resin’s mechanical response changes as the hybrid filler fraction varies. Three standard measurements were used: a uniaxial tensile test on a universal testing machine, an Izod-type impact test with a calibrated hammer, and Shore D hardness. The 7% ferrite-graphene oxide sample achieved the highest Young's modulus and hardness, while the 5% sample achieved the highest tensile and impact resistance. Across the four loadings, the hybrid filler clearly modified the mechanical behaviour of the cured resin. A coupling between the magnetic oxide phase and the carbon nanosheet appears to assist load transfer through the matrix–filler interface; as a consequence, both tensile strength and stiffness rose with filler content up to a certain limit. Above that limit, the trend reversed: the filler tends to agglomerate, dispersion becomes uneven, and part of the early gain in performance is lost. Filler ratio and dispersion quality therefore must be controlled together to preserve a balance between rigidity and toughness. Under such conditions, the hybrid epoxy systems described in this paper may be useful candidates for structural applications that need both stiffness and a reasonable tolerance to impact loading.