Investigation of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Copper-Reinforced Epoxy Composites under Corrosive Chemical Environments
نویسندگان
1 Department of Laboratory and Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq
2 Department of Laboratory and Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq
doi
10.22052/JNS.2026.02.043چکیده
The paper examines the synthesis and analysis of epoxy matrix composites with copper (Cu) particles as reinforcement for weight fractions of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. The synthesis was performed using the hand lay-up method. The paper assesses the hardness, thermal conductivity, and chemical resistance of the composites at room temperature and after submerging for a period of 15 days in a 0.2N concentration of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). The experiment showed the impact of copper percentage in raising hardness and thermal conductivity from 81.1 to 82.3 and from 31.8 × 10⁻² to 31.9 × 10⁻² W/m. oC, respectively, for a composition with a weight fraction of 8%. Conversely, analysis after submerging the composites showed a reduction in both hardness and thermal conductivity, with a higher reduction in hardness compared to thermal conductivity. The composites absorbed more solution with increasing immersion time and copper content. Copper reinforcement increases the initial properties; however, the durability of the composite is strongly influenced by the environmental condition.
