Elium Acrylic Based Graphene Nanocomposite: Processing, Microstructure and Thermomechanical Properties

Graphene has emerged as a promising nanofiller for the development of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites due to its outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In this study, Elium acrylic/Few-Layer Graphene (FLG) nanocomposites were developed by incorporating low FLG contents (0.01–0.4 wt.%) into a liquid thermoplastic acrylic resin. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to qualitatively assess the morphology and dispersion state of FLG within the matrix. The nanocomposites were then characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing. The results show that low FLG contents lead to a relatively homogeneous dispersion, whereas higher loadings promote the formation of localized aggregates. Thermal and mechanical analyses revealed improvements in glass transition temperature, tensile strength, and strain-rate sensitivity, which can be attributed to a combination of effective filler–matrix interactions and possible modifications in polymer chain mobility. Overall, these results demonstrate that low FLG loadings can effectively enhance the thermomechanical performance of Elium-based nanocomposites, highlighting their potential for lightweight and multifunctional structural applications.