Mechanical and thermal properties of hierarchical composites enhanced by pristine graphene and graphene oxide nanoinclusions

Abstract

Epoxy resin nanocomposites incorporated with 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 wt % pristine graphene and modified graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes were produced and used to fabricate carbon fiber-reinforced and glass fiber-reinforced composite panels via vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process. Mechanical and thermal properties of the composite panels-called hierarchical graphene composites-were determined according to ASTM standards. It was observed that the studied properties were improved consistently by increasing the amount of nanoinclusions. Particularly, in the presence of 4 wt % GO in the resin, tensile modulus, compressive strength, and flexural modulus of carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites were improved 15% (21%), 34% (84%), and 40% (68%), respectively. Likewise, with inclusion of 4 wt % pristine graphene in the resin, tensile modulus, compressive strength, and flexural modulus of carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites were improved 11% (7%), 30% (77%), and 34% (58%), respectively. Also, thermal conductivity of the carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites with 4% GO inclusion was improved 52% (89%). Similarly, thermal conductivity of the carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites with 4% pristine graphene inclusion was improved 45% (80%). The reported results indicate that both pristine graphene and modified GO nanoflakes are excellent options to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced polymeric composites and to make them viable replacement materials for metallic parts in different industries, such as wind energy, aerospace, marine, and automotive.

Charpy impact response of glass fiber reinforced composite with nano graphene enhanced epoxy

“…Graphene nano platelets (GnPs) which has been recently developed single layered carbon nano material is a useful polymer reinforcement material which has a large surface area led to increase the stress transfer between polymer and nano material [4,5,6,7]. Graphene has a 2-D nanostructure and leads an enhancement in toughness of fibers [8,9]. Several researchers reported that the graphene nano material addition in the fiber reinforced composites significantly affects the mechanical [10,11], dynamic [12], thermal [13] and electrical [14] properties materials.…”

Electrospun carbon nanofibers for improved electrical conductivity of fiber reinforced composites

“…The contribution of poisson's effect also plays an important role [23]. The resistivity and changes in dimension may be related to the fiber buckling, delamination, cracks, voids, internal defects and secondary phase of the composites [26][27][28][29][30]. However, the relation between dimensional changes and resistivity changes because of the loading and unloading requires more research.…”

Effects of moisture ingressions on mechanical properties of honeycomb-structured fiber composites for aerospace applications

“…During service, honeycomb-structured polymeric composites are subjected to a wide range of mechanical loads and environmental conditions, such as high and low temperatures, moisture, hydraulic fluids, and other solvents [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. When compared to other structural materials, polymeric materials can absorb more water, hydraulic fluids, and solvents from internal and external sources into their structures.…”