Graphene Delivery Systems for Hierarchical Fiber Reinforced Composites
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Graphene Delivery Systems for Hierarchical Fiber Reinforced Composites Yan Li 1,2, Han Zhang 1,2, Ton Peijs 1,2, Emiliano Bilotti 1,2,* School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, London, UK. 2 Nanoforce Technology Ltd., Joseph Priestley Bld., Mile End Road, E1 4NS London, UK 1
ABSTRACT Three different methods are evaluated for the introduction of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in hierarchical carbon- or glass fiber reinforced plastics. They involve; (1) direct infusion of GNP filled epoxy resin, (2) spray coating of GNP on fiber preforms and (3) the use of dissolvable thermoplastic interleaf carrier films. Direct infusion of GNP filled resin is the easiest method to deliver GNP into composite laminates but may lead to viscosity and filtration issues. Automated spray coating was set up to manufacture GNP modified carbonor glass fiber fabrics, while graphene filled phenoxy interleaf films were manufactured by bar coating, both followed by resin infusion using neat epoxy resin to produce GNP modified epoxy laminates, without the disadvantages of GNP filled resins. No substantial difference in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) for composites manufactured using the different delivery methods is found. However, the electrical conductivity of the GNP modified glass-fiber composites manufactured by spray coating of glass fabrics is two orders of magnitude higher than for laminates made by direct infusion of GNP modified resin. INTRODUCTION Graphene is an emerging class of nanomaterials with excellent properties, such as high theoretical specific surface area (2360 m2/g) [1], high thermal conductivity (5000 W/mk) [2], extremely high Young’s modulus (1.0 TPa) [3] and strength (100 GPa) [4] which makes them attractive for a variety of industrial applications, including polymer composites, conducting coatings and composites, sensors, optoelectronics, batteries, transparent conductive electrodes, etc. Glass- and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP and CFRPs) are currently used in a variety of engineering applications replacing traditional metallic materials. Similar to earlier studies using carbon nanotubes [5] the idea of adding GNP into composites is to create a hierarchical micro- and nanostructured composite material with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties. Using three potential delivery systems for GNP in laminated composites, we produced GNP modified GFRP and CFRP, and carried out characterizations on these composites. Three potential delivery methods were investigated for introducing GNP; (1) direct infusion of GNP filled resin, (2) spray coating of GNP onto glass- or carbon fiber fabrics [6], and (3) the use of dissolvable interleaf carrier films [7] for delivering GNP. The objective of this research is to evaluate these delivery methods for introducing GNP into laminated composites, with the potential for industrial scale-up. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS Materials Natural graphite flakes (NG) were purchased from Alfa Aesar (Product Number 43319, 99
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