Mechanical and quasi-static puncture behavior of hybrid glass/Kevlar/carbon fiber laminate composites with graphene nanoparticles

Abstract

The growing adoption of hybrid polymer composite laminates in engineering applications requires enhanced mechanical performance without increasing the composite weight. This research aims to develop lightweight and high strength laminate composites utilizing hybridization and particle addition. The bidirectional Kevlar fibers (K), carbon fibers (C), glass fibers (G), and epoxy matrix were utilized in the fabrication process. Furthermore, graphene nanoparticles (GPNPs) were included at 0, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weight percentages in the composite laminate. The quasi-static sequence method ( 0 2 C / 45 2 K / 0 2 G / 0 2 G / 45 2 K / 0 2 C ) was employed in composite fabrication. The mechanical characterization analysis of tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear strength, and quasi-static punch shear tests was investigated. The hybrid composite laminate with the addition of 4 wt.% graphene nanoparticles exhibited increased mechanical characteristics, with tensile, flexural, inter-laminar shear, and punch shear strength outcomes of ca. 266 MPa, ca. 362 MPa, ca. 82 MPa, and ca. 198 MPa, respectively, compared to laminates with other weight percentages. The particle addition aided in the effective load distribution as well as supported in the development of improved bonding between the fiber layers.