Experimental investigation and characterization of the tensile and flexural properties of amine functionalized graphene enhanced nanocomposite prepregs

Abstract

Graphene has drawn tremendous scientific and commercial interest because of its outstanding properties. It is extensively researched as a reinforcement in composite materials. Graphene is the most significant reinforced filler because of its outstanding mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. On the other hand, epoxy resin is highly utilized in practical applications such as laminates, coatings, and composites because of its simplicity of processing, firm adherence to various substrates, and chemical resistance. The distribution and interplay of graphene nanoparticles with the polymer determine the composite's performance. Several approaches are used to integrate Graphene into graphene-enhanced composites, including graphene dispersion in the polymer matrix. Prepregs are used in high-performance applications where weight and mechanical qualities are more important than price. Prepreg constructions frequently employ premium epoxy resins, carbon fiber, or other cutting-edge fibers. This research aims to experimentally investigate the tensile and flexural properties of epoxy prepreg composite with a varied weight percentage of amine-functionalized Graphene. In this research, to have good dispersion of Amine functionalized Graphene, the developed methodology with a combination of different stages for better dispersion. The Effect of different concentrations of weight fractions (wt. %) of Amine functionalized Graphene (AFG) was tested through tensile strength, and flexural strength surface fractures were investigated through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The result of the tensile test and flexural test exhibited the enhancement of Tensile strength by 12.33% at one wt. % of AFG as a reinforcement and flexural strength, no change was seen compared to neat Epoxy.