Experimental study on the optimal combination of MWCNT and GNP-introduced carbon/basalt fiber-reinforced intra-ply hybrid composites by Taguchi method

Abstract

The mechanical and impact performance of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) and Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) dispersed Carbon/Basalt Fiber-reinforced Polymer (CBFRP) intra-ply hybrid composites were examined. The MWCNT and GNP dispersed CBFRP nanocomposites were fabricated by Vacuum-assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) method. The mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, impact characteristics such as maximum contact force and maximum absorbed energy were measured for fabricated composite materials. The fiber content ratios (35%, 40%, and 45%) of MWCNT (0, 0.25, and 0.5) and GNP nanoparticles (0, 0.25, and 0.5) were considered as the analysis parameters in three levels. The experiments were conducted using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Taguchi’s DOE, and the S/N ratio results were applied to determine the optimum level and to identify the most significant parameters affecting the mechanical and impact characteristics of MWCNT and GNP-introduced CBFRP nanocomposites. According to the results, increasing the fiber content ratio (FCR) and the nanoparticles percentage improved the mechanical and impact properties of the fabricated composites. Furthermore, the FCR parameter had a better contribution than the two others and was the most effective on the analysis responses.