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Size effect of graphene nanoplatelets on the morphology and mechanical behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites

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Abstract

We investigated the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) with two different lateral dimensions on the morphology, flexural, and thermo-mechanical properties of multiscale GnPs/glass fiber/epoxy composites. First, 3 and 5 wt% of GnP-C750 (<1 µm in diameter) and GnP-5 (5 µm in diameter) were individually integrated into epoxy suspension through a combination of calendaring and sonication processes. The GnPs/glass fiber/epoxy composites were then fabricated by incorporating glass fibers into the GnPs/epoxy mixture. Results showed that the flexural modulus of the GnPs/glass fiber/epoxy composites was improved by 11.5 and 26.3 % with the addition of 5 wt% GnP-C750 and GnP-5, respectively. At the same filler content, the storage modulus of the glass/epoxy composites incorporated with GnP-C750 and GnP-5 at 30 °C was enhanced by 10.2 and 28.2 %, respectively. The flexural strength of the 3 wt% GnP-5-reinforced glass fiber/epoxy composite is 16.2 % higher than that of the glass fiber/epoxy composite. The dispersion results of GnPs in the composites and the interfacial interactions between fibers and modified matrix were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Mr. Rich Mike, Brian Rook, and Per Askeland, research assistants in Composite Materials and Structures Center (CMSC), for their training and guidance. We would like to acknowledge China Scholarship Council (CSC) for the financial supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Specially Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Fuzhong Wang, Yan Qin & Zhixiong Huang

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Composite Materials and Structures Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1226, USA

    Fuzhong Wang & Lawrence T. Drzal

Authors
  1. Fuzhong Wang
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  2. Lawrence T. Drzal
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  3. Yan Qin
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  4. Zhixiong Huang
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Correspondence to Fuzhong Wang or Lawrence T. Drzal.

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Wang, F., Drzal, L.T., Qin, Y. et al. Size effect of graphene nanoplatelets on the morphology and mechanical behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites. J Mater Sci 51, 3337–3348 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9649-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9649-x

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