Computational Modeling of Hybrid Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Functionalized and Non-Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets.

Hashim Al Mahmud,Matthew S Radue,William A Pisani,Gregory M Odegard

doi:10.3390/nano11112919

Abstract

The mechanical properties of aerospace carbon fiber/graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy hybrid composites reinforced with pristine graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), highly concentrated graphene oxide (GO), and Functionalized Graphene Oxide (FGO) are investigated in this study. By utilizing molecular dynamics data from the literature, the bulk-level mechanical properties of hybrid composites are predicted using micromechanics techniques for different graphene nanoplatelet types, nanoplatelet volume fractions, nanoplatelet aspect ratios, carbon fiber volume fractions, and laminate lay-ups (unidirectional, cross-ply, and angle-ply). For the unidirectional hybrid composites, the results indicate that the shear and transverse properties are significantly affected by the nanoplatelet type, loading and aspect ratio. For the cross-ply and angle ply hybrid laminates, the effect of the nanoplate’s parameters on the mechanical properties is minimal when using volume fractions and aspect ratios that are typically used experimentally. The results of this study can be used in the design of hybrid composites to tailor specific laminate properties by adjusting nanoplatelet parameters.

Highlights

Some preliminary success has been achieved in terms of obtaining mechanical properties that exceed those of traditional fiber composites, there are numerous variables in hybrid composite material design
A parametric computational study was performed to assess the mechanical performance of aerospace epoxy composites reinforced with carbon fiber and functionalized graphene nanoplatelets
Four types of graphene nanoplatelets were considered, and a wide range of nanoplatelet loadings and aspect ratios were used as adjustable parameters

Summary

Introduction

The development of the generation of high-performance composite materials has been motivated by increasing performance demands in applications such as aerospace and wind energy. One route to producing composites with improved properties over stateof-the-art systems involves the use of nanoparticle reinforcement inside traditional fiberreinforced thermosetting resins. Nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes and graphene have extraordinary mechanical properties, and these hybrid nanoparticle and fiberreinforced composites can potentially achieve greater stiffness, strength, and toughness relative to traditional fiber-reinforced composites [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. The development of nanoparticle hybrid composites is still in its infancy. Computationally driven material design is an efficient, 4.0/)

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