Issue 77

Y. C. Arun et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 77 (2026) 316-339; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.77.19

commercial E-glass fibers, assuring uniform quality and compatibility. Strength and thermal stability are enhanced by their normal composition, which consists of SiO ₂ (52–56 wt%), Al2O ₃ (12–15 wt%), and CaO (21–23 wt%). To improve mechanical, thermal, and interfacial properties, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were used as nanoscale reinforcement. Aritech Chemazone Pvt Ltd. (India) offered the CNFs (diameter 30– 45 nm, length >80 μm), which have a high aspect ratio, tensile strength (2–7 GPa), and modulus (200–600 GPa). Strong interfacial bonding is encouraged by their huge surface area, while wear resistance and heat dissipation are enhanced by their high conductivity and thermal stability (>600 °C). PPS granules, CNFs, and GFs are the basic materials utilized in this investigation, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The SEM morphology of CNFs shown in Fig. 2 confirms their high aspect ratio by revealing a fibrous and entangled tubular structure. For efficient load transfer and reinforcement in polymer matrices, such morphology is beneficial. According to Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) analysis presented in Fig. 3, CNFs have a low oxygen content and a high carbon purity, making them appropriate for use in nanocomposite applications.

Figure 1: Photographs of (a) PPS granules, (b) SGFs, (c) CNFs.

Figure 2: Microstructure of carbon nanofibers (a) 3 kX, (b) 10 kX.

Figure 3: Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of carbon nanofibers.

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