Stress field around graphene nanoplates coated carbon fiber strand reinforced in polymer matrix

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Photoelasticity method was used to map the stress field around the graphene nanoplates (GnPs) coated carbon fiber strand reinforced in a polymer matrix. Carbon fiber strand (0.4 mm diameter, containing 40 carbon fibers) was considered. The composite was subjected to diametrical compression. The models were loaded under partial edge compression having 0°, 45° and 90° orientation of fiber strand with respect to loading axis. Typical isochromatic fringe patterns were observed using circular polariscope which indicated that GnPs coated carbon fiber strand inferred the direction of isochromatics. Stress concentration near the fiber region was observed. The isochromatics were slightly bent towards fiber strand which showed the strong adhesion of fiber strand with the polymer matrix. The fringe order calculated from orthotropic Mohr’s circle relevance of fringe order was different from isotropic fringe order. The isochromatic fringe pattern for composite with 0° fiber orientation was almost similar to pure epoxy. This showed that the compressive behavior of fabricated 0° oriented GnPs coated carbon fiber strand composite was almost similar to pure epoxy. The calculated values of stresses at the center of the disc showed that composite with 0° orientation of fiber strand was most effective in stress sharing. The calculation of stress fringevalue for 45° orientation of fiber strand showed that aligning fiber strand at 45° doesn’t represent the case of pure shear in fiber reinforced composites. However, the deviation from pure shear was very less