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

Abstract

The impact of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the structural integrity of woven cross ply glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) has been examined in this study. Eight-ply laminates of fiber orientation (0˚/90˚) with neat epoxy GFRP, 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% MWCNTs modified GFRP were manufactures by using vacuum supported hand layup technique. According to ASTM standards, rectangular samples were cut from the prepared composite laminates for mechanical testing such as three-point bending test, tensile test, interlaminar shear strength test, in-plane shear and compression test. Addition of 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% of MWCNTs in cross ply GFRP laminates enhanced the ultimate tensile stress, compressive stress, bending stress, interlaminar shear stress and in-plane shear stress.