MXene-reinforced Elium ^® composites: A comprehensive study on tensile and flexural strengths, fracture toughness, thermal properties and damage mechanisms

This study reports the synthesis of multilayer Ti ₃ C ₂ T _x MXene through selective etching of Ti ₃ AlC ₂ and its incorporation into Elium ^® thermoplastic resin at loadings of 0.25–1.0 wt.%. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical tests, including tensile (ASTM D638), flexural (ASTM D790), and fracture toughness (ASTM D5045) analyses. The 0.75 wt.% MXene composite exhibited the most balanced performance, achieving a tensile strength of 69.45 MPa, a flexural strength of 110 MPa, and a 31% improvement in fracture toughness over neat Elium ^® . These enhancements were attributed to uniform nanofiller dispersion and effective interfacial interaction that facilitates stress transfer and crack deflection. SEM fractography revealed a transition from smooth, brittle fracture surfaces in the neat matrix to rough, branched crack paths in the MXene-filled composites, indicating improved energy dissipation. Overall, MXene/Elium ^® nanocomposites showed superior strength, toughness, and thermal stability, highlighting their potential as lightweight and recyclable materials for structural applications in automotive, aerospace, and protective sectors.