Simultaneous reinforcement of matrix and fibers for enhancement of mechanical properties of graphene‐modified laminated composites

Abstract

Fiber and matrix‐dominant properties of fiber‐reinforced polymer composites are important in many structural applications. Pre‐mixing the polymer matrix with nanoparticles could enhance the through‐thickness or matrix‐dominant properties. Surface treatment of fiber reinforcements with nanoparticles, on the other hand, could improve the in‐plane or fiber‐dominated properties of laminated composites, as well as interfacial adhesion. In this article, a novel low‐cost manufacturing method, combining surface treatment of fibers with matrix modification techniques, was devised to incorporate nanoparticles for the simultaneous reinforcement of matrix and fibers without increasing the viscosity of the epoxy matrix. Several graphene‐based nanomaterials, including graphene oxide (GO) and its thermally reduced version (rGO), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were employed to modify the epoxy matrix and the surface of glass fibers. Unmodified and modified epoxy and fibers were used for fabricating multiscale glass fiber‐reinforced composites following the vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process. The composites obtained combined improvements in both the fiber and matrix‐dominant properties, resulting in superior composites. We investigated the morphological, rheological and mechanical properties of the glass fiber‐reinforced multiscale composites. The results from testing for tensile properties and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the glass fiber‐reinforced composites indicate that the introduction of GNPs, GO, rGO, and MWCNTs enhanced mechanical properties. The fracture surfaces of the fiber‐reinforced composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy and we used the micrographs to explain the tensile and ILSS results. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1732–E1745, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

Preparation of silica‐decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid system as a highly efficient reinforcement for woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composites

“…On the contrary, with the addition of 0.3 wt% nanofillers (especially SiO 2 @GONPs), the damage size is significantly reduced. The decreased damage area of FRPs due to the addition of nanofillers has been also reported by other researchers [17,37] and can be attributed to this fact that the nanofillers enhance the specimen stiffness and absorb more applied energy via elastic deformation. Consequently, the required energy to create damage is increased resulting in the decreased damage area.…”

“…This is in line with the literature. [17,30] Moreover, the nanofillers act as toughening agent in the matrix and can improve the fracture toughness of composite via crack deflection mechanism. [36] Compared to the untreated GONPs, the positive effect of SiO 2 @GONPs is clearly observable.…”

“…[15] Recently, the use of nanofillers in the development of the multiscale composites (nanofillers-enhanced FRPs) has attracted much attention. In general, this type of composite is produced by dispersing the nanofillers within the matrix [16,17] or grafting them on the surface of fibers. [18,19] Some recent works have shown that the nanofillers can noticeably enhance the mechanical properties of FRPs.…”

Mechanical Properties and Shrinkage Behavior of Concrete-Containing Graphene-Oxide Nanosheets

“…Since the emerging of concrete, researchers have been devoted to obtaining concrete with higher strength and better performance [1][2][3]. Graphene oxide (GO) and reduced-graphene oxide (rGO) were found useful to enhance the thermal conductivity, Young's modulus and mechanical properties of composites [4][5][6]. Rafiee et al [4] investigated the thermal properties of doubly reinforced fiberglass/epoxy composites with graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide.…”

“…It was found that defect-free graphene has a Young's modulus of 1.0 TPa and a fracture strength of 130 GPa, which is much higher than those of ordinary concrete. Rafiee et al [6] employed GO and its thermally reduced version (rGO) to modify the epoxy matrix and the surface of glass fibers and results indicated that the introduction of GO and rGO enhanced the mechanical properties.…”