Influence of carbon nano-filler in GFRP under dynamic loading conditions at an elevated temperature

Abstract

Nano sized carbon fillers have been introduced in the matrix for the systematic study of the glass fibre reinforced polymer at an elevated temperature. The entire objective of the study is to achieve thermal stability by having higher resistance to thermal decomposition by the addition of 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% of carbon nano-fillers (CNF) into the matrix. Extreme care has been taken in order to achieve the homogeneous mixture of carbon nano-filler and the epoxy resin. The evaluation of Tg was done through the Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer, that results in an increase in Tg value by 7.27 °C and 23.8 °C for the particle loading of 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% respectively, which is 7.87% and 21.34% increments achieved on comparing with the GFRP laminate with neat resin. Thermogravimetric Analysis reveals that the improvement in thermal decomposition is achieved through the addition of carbon nano-filler. The carbon nano-filler infused in Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) shows a marginal increase in mechanical properties, but, it has better thermal characteristics due to the thermal resistance of the carbon nano-filler.