Assessment of the performance of aluminum, copper, and graphene nanometer fillers filled woven glass fiber/epoxy composites

Abstract

This study embedded graphene nanoplatelet (GNP), nano-sized aluminum and copper in epoxy-reinforced woven glass fiber. The 0.5 wt% nanofillers were incorporated into epoxy resin. Nanofilled glass fiber/epoxy hybrid composite laminates were fabricated using the hand layup technique. Fillers were dispersed in an epoxy matrix via the ultrasonic processor. The influence of the inclusion of these nanofillers on the physical and mechanical performance of glass fiber/epoxy composites was studied. The resulting hybrid nanocomposites illustrated good characteristics when compared to control specimens. The graphene nanophased glass fiber/epoxy composite achieved the maximum improvement of 59.2%, 91.5%, 74.7%, and 100% in in-plane shear, fracture toughness, impact, and interlaminar shear strength, respectively. Additionally, glass fiber/epoxy filled with GNP behaved as the lowest seawater absorption. Control filled with 0.5 wt% GNP showed strong fiber/matrix interfacial bonding in scanning electron microscopy images after being subjected to a fracture toughness test.