2Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology (SGGSIE&T), Nanded, Maharashtra, 431606, India
Abstract
One of the shortcomings of Polypropylene (PP) is its moderate damping properties. Because of their improved mechanical properties, PP nanocomposites reinforced with nanomaterials such as graphene (G) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are emerging as potential materials for advanced engineering applications. This study uses computational modal analysis to evaluate the effects of G and hBN reinforcements on the modal parameters of PP nanocomposites such as deformation, mode shapes and frequency etc. A finite element model is created to predict the vibrational behaviour of PP nanocomposites with different thicknesses of G and hBN nanoparticles. The material properties of the PP nanocomposites were determined using ANSYS models, incorporating the contributions of the reinforcements. The inclusion of G and hBN considerably increases stiffness and lowers deformation, resulting in higher natural frequencies and altered mode shapes. The C-channel models of hybrid nanocomposites having neat PP (2.5 mm thick), PP+G+hBN (0.833 mm each), 0.5mm G+1.5mm PP+0.5mm hBN and 0.25mm G +2mm PP+ 0.25mm hBN are examined to check the effect on deformation. One end of the C-channel is fixed, while an excitation force ranging from 100 N to 1000 N is applied to the other end. The findings demonstrate the ability of G and hBN reinforcements to adjust the vibrational performance of PP nano-composites, making them ideal for use in structural components, aerospace and automotive etc. This computational study establishes the groundwork for experimental validation and further optimization of PP-based nanocomposites for vibration-sensitive applications. This aspect is particularly novel as it opens avenues for future research aimed at improving the vibrational performance of materials.
