الفهرس 
Chapter One: IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
One of the most favored synthetic polymers applied across a range of engineering contexts is epoxy thermoset. Its manifold advantages have captivated industrial interest and prompted its widespread use. However, the inherent brittleness of epoxy poses a challenge, impacting its mechanical properties and diminishing its resilience to wear. This characteristic limitation restricts its viability in scenarios involving friction. Consequently, the current investigation is directed towards exploring both the mechanical and tribological attributes of Epoxy composites, incorporating natural oils and Tio2 nanoparticles.
In the present study, the epoxy matrix serves as the foundational material. The epoxy resin, namely KEMAPOXY 150, is procured from CMB group in Egypt. The formation of the matrix involves the combination of two components: A (the resin) and B (the hardener), mixed in a 2:1 ratio at 300 rpm for a duration of 3 minutes. The selected fillers are of a hybrid nature, comprising natural oils and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The investigation covers three distinct oils: rocca (Eruca sativa), castor, and palm oils. These oils possess respective densities of 907, 946, and 960 kg/m3. Meanwhile, the TiO2 NPs are sourced from US Research Nanoparticles. The hybrid nanofillers are employed to assess the mechanical and tribological properties of the epoxy matrix. Through the execution of experiments, insights are drawn from X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, hardness measurements, stress-strain behavior, friction coefficients, wear resistance, and the topography of worn surfaces, as captured by optical 2D and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imagery.
The empirical findings reveal that higher proportions of the oils yield optimal mechanical performance. This is evidenced by heightened strength and an increased percentage of breaking strain within the epoxy matrix. The XRD analysis further indicates the effective dispersion of the various oil types throughout the matrix.
Noteworthy enhancements are observed in hardness, particularly a 10.9% increase with a 12.5% wt. content of castor oil. Additionally, the introduction of 10% wt. of palm or rocca oil results in an approximate 11.4% and 11.9% elevation in hardness values, respectively.