FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A GRAPHENE-OXIDE THIN FILM DEVELOPED FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE PROTECTION OF POLYMER COMPOSITE LAMINATES

摘要

A novel flexible graphene-oxide (GO) thin film was fabricated and characterized to demonstrate its ability to protect carbon fiber epoxy prepreg against lightning strike. Electrical conductivity of the GO thin film was measured using a home-made apparatus. Tensile properties of the GO thin film were measured using a PASCO stress-strain apparatus and the failed samples were observed under an optical microscope to study their failure. An ultraviolet (UV) environmental chamber was utilized to subject the GO thin film samples to weathering condition. The water contact angle of the conditioned samples was measured using an optical contact angle meter. The results indicated that the GO thin film was a viable option for protecting polymer composite laminates.