Improved Mechanical and Moisture Resistant Properties of Woven Hybrid Epoxy Composites by Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP)
This research investigated the effect of adding different wt. (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) of GNP (graphene nanoplatelets) to improve the mechanical and moisture resistant properties of Kevlar (K)/cocos nucifera sheath (CS)/epoxy hybrid composites. The laminates were fabricated with different K/CS weight ratios such as 100/0 (S1) 75/25 (S2) 50/50 (S3) 25/75 (S4) and 0/100 (S5) The results revealed that the addition of GNP improved the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of laminated composites. However, the optimal wt. of GNP varies with different laminates. A moisture diffusion analysis showed that the laminates with a 0.25 wt. of GNP content efficiently hindered water uptake by closing all the unoccupied pores inside the laminate. Morphological investigations (SEM and FE SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) proved that the addition of GNP improved the interfacial adhesion and dispersion. Structural (XRD and FTIR) analyses reveals that at 0.25 wt. of GNP, all the hybrid composites showed a better crystallinity index and the functional groups presents in the GNP can form strong interactions with the fibers and matrix. A statistical analysis was performed using One way ANOVA, and it corroborates that the mechanical properties of different laminates showed a statistically significant difference. Hence, these GNP modified epoxy hybrid composites can be efficiently utilized in load bearing structures.
Materials