Effect of Graphene Platelets/Fiber on Plastics Nanocomposites under Low-Velocity Impact Response

Abstract

In this study, an attempt has made to explore the low-velocity impact response of a Carbon/epoxy laminate (CFRP) and E-Glass/epoxy laminates (GFRP). The composite was reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets (GnPs) and impact energy absorption capacity was studied. The plain GFRP and plain CFRP were served as a baseline for comparison. These composite laminate plates were fabricated using hand layup technique. The tests were carried out on the laminate plate as per ASTM D5628 FD. Impact tests were performed using a specially designed vertical drop-weight testing machine with an impactor mass of 1.926 kg. The result shows that laminate plate reinforced with GnPs reinforcement enhances the impact energy absorption capacity of the composites almost 4.5 % in the case Carbon/epoxy laminate and 3.5 % in the case of and E-glass/epoxy laminate. The enhanced impact resistance could be attributed to increased interlaminar fracture toughness of the fibres.