Effect of MWCNT on mechanical characterization of glass/carbon hybrid composites

Abstract

In this present study, the mechanical properties of Glass/Carbon hybrid composite reinforced with epoxy resin with and without multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were investigated. The composite under Experimental analysis were fabricated by using both Hand layup and Vacuum bag moulding processes. The main purpose of including MWCNT as a reinforcement material with epoxy is to reduce the existence of voids or cavities and to enhance the mechanical properties of Glass/Carbon hybrid composites. Because of their extraordinary mechanical properties and high aspect ratio, MWCNTs are considered to be ideal candidates for polymer reinforcement. The percentages of MWCNT selected for the study are 2%, 3% and 4% with the hybrid composites. The effect of MWCNT on mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, impact strength, hardness and percentage of water absorption of the hybrid composites were determined as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The result from the study shows that the mechanical properties of hybrid composites were improved with the addition of small amount of MWCNT than without MWCNT. The fractured specimen from Tensile test is examined by using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX)to study the alignment of the fibres, fibre-matrix adhesion, voids and filler agglomeration. This investigation provides proper guidelines to designers on enhancing mechanical properties of Glass/Carbon composite structures through MWCNT reinforcement for Aircraft structural components.

An Experimental Study of the Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites Mixed with Rubber Granules

“…Epoxidised natural rubber with flax fiberreinforced composites can act as an alternative for petroleumbased composites [16]. A vacuum bag moulding process was used to fabricate epoxy glass-reinforced carbon nanotube composites to produce defect-free components for aerospace applications [17]. Further, very few research works have been carried out in the hybrid composites with carbon fiber as reinforcement and natural rubber as particulates in the epoxy resin matrix.…”

Combined effect of fiber hybridization and matrix modification on mechanical properties of polymer composites

“…Some other particles, like graphene nanoplatelets, are also utilized in composite materials to enhance adhesive strength or for structural health monitoring. [51][52][53] Recent limited studies on the nanoparticle modification of matrix in glass/carbon hybrid composites report improvement in mechanical properties [54][55][56] due to the nanoparticles. On the contrary, various researchers address degradation in flexural properties of hybrid composites by increasing MWCNT content.…”

“…Recent limited studies on the nanoparticle modification of matrix in glass/carbon hybrid composites report improvement in mechanical properties 54–56 due to the nanoparticles. On the contrary, various researchers address degradation in flexural properties of hybrid composites by increasing MWCNT content.…”