Graphene as a stimulus for mechanical strength in glass-fiber reinforced polymers composite

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is related with the comparative study between graphene-based glass fiber–reinforced polymer composites and without graphene composite on polymer matrix. The current study explains the result of amalgamation of 4 Wt.% graphene oxide (GO), in comparison to without graphene, on the mechanical strength of glass fiber/epoxy (GE).Design/methodology/approachA hand layup technique is used for the experimental study. For this, chemical synthesis process is approached based on Hummer’s theory. For mechanical testing of glass fiber–reinforced graphene composites and without graphene composites, American Society for Testing and Materials-3039 (ASTM3039) standards was adopted. Furthermore, comparatively, composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy.FindingsReinforcement of 4.0 Wt.% GO in epoxy matrix material showed 7.46% and 12.31% improvement in mechanical strength and elongation, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy results showed the influence of graphene cumulations in the failure of GO-reinforced GE (GO-GE) composites.Originality/valueThe inimitable things of graphene grounded nanofillers have encouraged in the world of material for their thinkable manipulation in glass fiber polymeric composites. In this work, for the first time, graphene is used as nanofiller in glass fiber epoxy coatings, and their fractography study is investigated.