Effect of MWCNTs on mechanical properties of woven angle ply GFRP laminates

Abstract

Impact of MWCNTs on the mechanical behaviour of woven GFRP angle ply laminates have been studied. GFRP laminates was fabricated with eight layers of fiber orientation (45˚/-45˚) of neat epoxy, 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% MWCNTs filled GFRP using vacuum assisted hand layup method. With the aim to perform the mechanical testing like tensile, compression, short beam and three-point bending test, required samples were made from the manufactured laminates in accordance with respective ASTM standards. Addition of 0.5 wt% MWCNTs into GFRP laminates improved the tensile and bending strength. Woven angle ply GFRP modified with 1.0 wt% of MWCNTs enhanced only the ultimate tensile strength. Incorporation of MWCNTs into GFRP has no effect on improvement of compression and interlaminar shear strength.