https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06598-1
Regular Article
Compressive characteristics of E-glass/epoxy composites modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology combined with different algorithms
Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department, Çankırı Karatekin University, 18100, Çankırı, Turkey
Received:
6
April
2025
Accepted:
27
June
2025
Published online:
16
July
2025
The mechanical performance of composite materials can be significantly enhanced by reinforcing the polymer matrix with nanoparticles. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated into an E-glass/epoxy composite system to improve its compressive strength and modulus. The primary aim is to develop structurally optimized composite materials suitable for industrial applications in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and marine, where high compressive resistance and durability are crucial. The optimization process was carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on central composite design, which allowed for a systematic analysis of the effects of MWCNT type, weight ratio, and fiber orientation. The experimental data were further evaluated using advanced hybrid metaheuristic algorithms: Actor Critic using Kronecker-Factored Trust Region-Differential Evolution (ACKTR-DE) and Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO), implemented via the NEORL platform. Advanced algorithms such as ACKTR-DE and HHO are very suitable candidates for optimizing design and material parameters for laminated composite structures. These algorithms provided validation and reinforcement of the RSM predictions. The study achieved optimal compressive strength and modulus values of 410.579 MPa and 4.7406 GPa, respectively, at 0.5 wt% long-thick type MWCNTs and 0° fiber orientation. The proposed multi-algorithmic approach not only enhances predictive accuracy but also minimizes experimental efforts, thus offering a sustainable and cost-effective route for the development of next-generation composite materials.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
