Influence of carbon nanotubes/ graphene nanoparticles on the mechanical and morphological properties of glass woven fabric epoxy composites

摘要

An epoxy matrix reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nano particles (GNPs) is used to fabricate woven glass fabric epoxy composites using Hand Layup and compression moulding technique. Three types of composites are fabricated using 7-mill plain weave glass fabric, +45o/-45o, 0o-90o multi axial glass woven fabrics as reinforcements and epoxy as matrix. Mechanical characterization is performed on the fabricated composites.0o-90o GWFE composites are fabricated with 0.5 wt%, 1.5 wt% MWCNTs, and 0.5 wt%, 1.5 wt% graphene nano particles (GNPs).The results from mechanical and morphological characterization revealed that specimens containing 0.5 wt%, 1.5 wt% MWCNTs, and 0.5wt %, 1.5 wt% graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) are altered when compared to the glass woven fabric epoxy composites without nanoparticles. Glass woven fabric epoxy (GWFE) composites with 1.5 wt% of MWCNT possess the highest hardness of 90.33 which is 6.27% greater when compared to other composites. The tensile strength of composite specimens containing 1.5 wt% graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) increased by 14.5% over glass woven fabric epoxy (GWFE) composites. The mode of fiber failure in tensile fractured surfaces of GWFE composites is apprised through SEM images.