Viscoelastic and mechanical properties of epoxy/ methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS) / hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposites

This study explores the incorporation of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles into an epoxy/methyl methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS) hybrid matrix to enhance mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties. The novelty of this work lies in the strategic selection of h-BN as a reinforcing nanofiller and its optimized dispersion to improve interfacial adhesion, stiffness, and impact resistance. The objectives include assessing the miscibility, phase behavior, and mechanical reinforcement of the hybrid system, particularly in compositions MABS 5 and MABS 10, cured with 4,4′-diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS). A systematic fabrication process was employed, followed by detailed characterization using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate miscibility and phase separation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed to investigate storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G"), and glass transition temperature (Tg), while tensile and impact tests assessed mechanical performance. The results demonstrated that the M5BN0.5 composite exhibited the highest tensile strength and impact resistance (5534.67 ± 17.67 J/m²), attributed to the enhanced dispersion and reinforcement from h-BN. The findings highlight improved phase stability, mechanical robustness, and potential applications in high-performance structural materials. Future research directions include optimizing interfacial chemistry and exploring multifunctional properties for advanced engineering applications.