Mechanical properties and morphological characteristics of ARALL reinforced with TRGO doped epoxy resin

Alberto Monsalve,Luis Parra,Humberto Palza,Roberto Solís,Diego Baeza

doi:10.1590/s1517-707620180004.0562

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mechanical properties in tension, bending, fatigue and lap-shear in two different proportions (0.5%wt and 1%wt) of TRGO (Thermally Reduced Graphite Oxide) doped ARALL (Aramid Aluminium Laminate) were examined. The materials and their failure modes were characterized morphologically by examination through SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Some mechanical properties of ARALL were improved when doped with 0.5% of TRGO, showing a significant increase of fatigue properties, as well as a change in fracture surface morphology. Tension andbending properties showed variable results and further studies should be carried out to arrive to definitive conclusions, while lap-shear testing showed lower shear values. The results were statistically validated through mono-factorial variance analysis. Comparing the present results with previous work on CNT (Carbon Nanotubes) doped ARALL, it can be stated that: (a) TRGO doped ARALL showed improved fatigue properties when compared with non-doped ARALL, but in a less effective way than doping with CNT, (b) TRGO doped ARALL tension properties showed no significant variation as compared with ARALL alone, showing no deleterious influence as in the CNT doping case, (c) TRGO doped ARALL bending properties resulted better than non-doped ARALL, but similar than those obtained when doping with CNT and (d) TRGO decreased the adherence between aramid fiber impregnated L20 epoxy resin and aluminium. These last results are sustained based on observed improvements as a percentage value, without a statistical variance analysis made on CNT doped ARALL.

Highlights

Composite materials are nowadays being explored in many engineering fields, like car-making, ship-building and aviation
Comparing the present results with previous work on CNT (Carbon Nanotubes) doped Aramid Aluminium Laminate (ARALL), it can be stated that: (a) Thermally Reduced Graphite Oxide (TRGO) doped ARALL showed improved fatigue properties when compared with non-doped ARALL, but in a less effective way than doping with CNT, (b) TRGO doped ARALL tension properties showed no significant variation as compared with ARALL alone, showing no deleterious influence as in the CNT doping case, (c) TRGO doped ARALL bending properties resulted better than non-doped ARALL, but similar than those obtained when doping with CNT and (d) TRGO decreased the adherence between aramid fiber impregnated L20 epoxy resin and aluminium
Considering the mechanical properties in tensile, bending, fatigue and lap-shear tests in 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% TRGO doped ARALL, it is possible to conclude that the ideal addition of TRGO in doping ARALL is 0.5 wt%

Summary

Introduction

Composite materials are nowadays being explored in many engineering fields, like car-making, ship-building and aviation. Their dynamic development continually proposes new materials with better characteristics and properties, every time at a lower cost. According to Geim [2], graphene is the fundamental structure of graphite and of the Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), which present themselves as a transparent one-atom-thin bi-dimensional sheet rolled up in the form of a cylinder. The use of graphene as a powder or as nano-platelets are the closest to have good properties at a reasonable cost. In this chemical synthesis, strong reagents which oxidizes graphite are used, followed by a high temperature thermal shock to eliminate oxygen

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Conclusion