Title: Fracture Toughness of Carbon Fiber Epoxy at Elevated Temperatures with Interlaminar Graphene

Authors: Daniel W. Mulqueen, Oleksandr G. Kravchenko

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.22.0727

Abstract: A renewable, plant-based graphene nanoparticle (pGNP) is presented as an interlaminar reinforcement with the same properties as mineral graphenes with substantially reduced environmental impact. In this study we examined the effects of an interlaminar application of pGNP on crack propagation in unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites at elevated temperatures. The graphene was produced from renewable biomass feedstock and consisted of flakes 3-10 layers thick mixed at 3.5% w/w in an alcohol/water mixture with dispersion aides, applied via spray application at 2.3 g/m2. Composites were tested in Mode I and Mode II loadings at 20°C and 90°C to compare the fracture toughness. Interlaminar pGNP improved Mode I fracture toughness 146% at 20°C and 126% at 90°C. Mode II fracture toughness was not changed at 20°C and improved 55% at 90°C. Interlaminar pGNP spray provides substantial improvements to composite toughness at ambient and elevated temperatures.

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Conference: SAMPE 2022

Publication Date: 2022/05/23

SKU: TP22-0000000727

Pages: 13

Price: $26.00