Mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene filled epoxy composites: experimental and numerical investigations

Abstract

The mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites were identified by adding carbon-based nano-reinforcements, such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene platelets (GP), into the epoxy matrix by conducting suitable experiments. The main focus of this study is to compare the tensile modulus, tensile strength, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with nanoparticle reinforcement. The results revealed that adding CNTs and GP nanoparticles improved the mechanical properties compared to a pure carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite. However, compared to CNTs, the GP's addition has increased the mechanical properties of the CFRP composite. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were presented to explore the microstructural characterization of carbon fiber-reinforced nanoparticle-reinforced composites. Further, using numerical studies, the transverse modulus, major and minor Poisson’s ratio of the carbon fibre reinforced with CNT and GP particle reinforcement were estimated. The current study is applied to the efficient design of nanoparticle reinforced carbon fibre reinforced composites.

Physicomechanical, Wettability, Corrosion, Thermal, and Microstructural Morphology Characteristics of Carbonized and Uncarbonized Bagasse Ash Waste-Reinforced Al-0.45Mg-0.35Fe-0.25Si-Based Composites: Fabrications and Characterizations

“…The presence of pores and particle clustering at higher WBA weight fractions indicates that the composite may not be as uniform in those areas . Particle clustering could be caused by uneven processing or mixing conditions, while pores could be an indication of insufficient material infiltration during the fabrication process . These findings are important because they may have an effect on the composite’s overall functionality and mechanical characteristics.…”

“…The growth of Al6063 grains may be hampered by the existence of WBA particles, which can influence the solidification process. The influence of the WBA reinforcement particles may cause the formation of larger grains . The variation in the grain size and grain arrangement in various samples can be observed through optical micrographs.…”

“…The optical microscopy analysis might reveal changes in the grain structure as the weight fraction of the WBA rises. Under a microscope, this could be observed as smaller and, moreover, densely packed grains if the grain size decreases and the interatomic distances between grains shorten . By impeding atom movement and causing grain structures to become finer, the WBA particles can act as barriers to grain growth …”

“…Additionally, grain boundaries, which are the boundaries among distinct crystalline regions, have an impact on the material's characteristics depending on their size and distribution. 61 The optical microscopy analysis might reveal changes in the grain structure as the weight fraction of the WBA rises. Under a microscope, this could be observed as smaller and, moreover, densely packed grains if the grain size decreases and the interatomic distances between grains shorten.…”

“…Under a microscope, this could be observed as smaller and, moreover, densely packed grains if the grain size decreases and the interatomic distances between grains shorten. 61 By impeding atom movement and causing grain structures to become finer, the WBA particles can act as barriers to grain growth. 61 The analysis has inferred information about how the WBA particles have affected grain size and how it might affect the mechanical characteristics of the composite, such as strength and ductility, by comparing microstructures at various weight fractions of the WBA particles.…”