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Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are novel nanofillers possessing attractive characteristics, including robust compatibility with most polymers, high absolute strength, and cost effectiveness. In this study, GNPs were used to reinforce epoxy composite and epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminates to enhance their mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of GNPs/epoxy nanocomposite, such as ultimate tensile strength and flexure properties, were investigated. The fatigue life of epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminate with GPs-added 0.25 wt% was increased over that of neat laminates at all levels of cyclic stress. Consequently, significant improvement in the mechanical properties of ultimate tensile strength, flexure, and fatigue life was attained for these epoxy resin composites and carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite laminates.

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A flame retardant containing phosphorus and nitrogen was prepared. This halogen-free flame retardant was blended with polypropylene (PP) by hot melting to improve the flame-retardant capability and thermal stability of the composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, and UL-94 measurements were applied to characterize the structure and thermal and flame-retardant properties of the composites. When the flame-retardant concentration was 40 wt%, the LOI value of the composite was 40, passing the V-0 rating of the UL-94 test. The LOI and UL-94 data showed the composites have an excellent flame-retardant property. For a kinetic study of thermal degradation, Ozawa’s method was applied to calculate the activation energies of pure PP and the composites. Analytical results indicate that the composites had higher values, meaning they have better thermal stability.