Abstract
This research investigated the effect of adding different wt.% (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) of GNP (graphene nanoplatelets) to improve the mechanical and moisture resistant properties of Kevlar (K)/cocos nucifera sheath (CS)/epoxy hybrid composites. The laminates were fabricated with different K/CS weight ratios such as 100/0 (S1), 75/25 (S2), 50/50 (S3), 25/75 (S4), and 0/100 (S5). The results revealed that the addition of GNP improved the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of laminated composites. However, the optimal wt.% of GNP varies with different laminates. A moisture diffusion analysis showed that the laminates with a 0.25 wt.% of GNP content efficiently hindered water uptake by closing all the unoccupied pores inside the laminate. Morphological investigations (SEM and FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope)) proved that the addition of GNP improved the interfacial adhesion and dispersion. Structural (XRD and FTIR) analyses reveals that at 0.25 wt.% of GNP, all the hybrid composites showed a better crystallinity index and the functional groups presents in the GNP can form strong interactions with the fibers and matrix. A statistical analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA, and it corroborates that the mechanical properties of different laminates showed a statistically significant difference. Hence, these GNP-modified epoxy hybrid composites can be efficiently utilized in load-bearing structures.
Highlights
A growing awareness towards eco-friendly materials, environmental regulations, and high rates of the depletion of fossil fuels have encouraged researchers to find an alternate natural fiber to replace synthetic fiber in polymeric composites and to be compatible with the environment [1].Recent studies have reported that natural fibers can efficiently replace the man-made synthetic fibers [2].The main advantages of natural fibers are having a low cost, having a low density, being nonabrasive, being noncorrosive, having an inherent biodegradability, having acceptable specific strength and stiffness, being available, and being recyclable [3]
The present research work investigated the effect of adding different wt.% of Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) on the mechanical properties such as the tensile, flexural, and impact, moisture diffusion, morphological (SEM and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM))), and structural (FTIR and X-ray Diffraction (XRD)) properties of Kevlar, hybrid
The mixture was mixed with epoxy resin using a magnetic stirrer over a hot plate until the epoxy resin acetone (GNP/acetone concentration:15 mg/ml) through ultra-sonicator fora2hot h at GNP/Acetone mixture was mixed with epoxy resin using aan magnetic stirrer over plate the was completely dissolved
Summary
A growing awareness towards eco-friendly materials, environmental regulations, and high rates of the depletion of fossil fuels have encouraged researchers to find an alternate natural fiber to replace synthetic fiber in polymeric composites and to be compatible with the environment [1]. Siva et al [10] investigated the tensile properties of Cocos nucifera sheath/glass hybrid polyester composites. Evaluated the effect of fiber orientation on the mechanical properties of Kevlar/kenaf/epoxy composites for vehicle spall liner applications. They concluded that the tensile and impact properties were higher for woven composites than for unidirectional hybrid composites. The present research work investigated the effect of adding different wt.% of GNP (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75) on the mechanical properties such as the tensile, flexural, and impact, moisture diffusion, morphological (SEM and FE-SEM), and structural (FTIR and XRD) properties of Kevlar-, hybrid. Statistical analyses results by using one-way ANOVA to find the significant differences between the mean mechanical properties of different laminates
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