The Influence of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Tensile and Impact Behavior of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

The effect of addition of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) on the mechanical behavior of unidirectional S-glass fiber based composites fabricated through the hand layup technique, followed by hot compression moulding were investigated. The GnPs with varying concentrations were introduced into the composites in two different ways, i.e., (1) GnPs in matrix; (2) GnPs on the fiber surface (GnPs coated fibers fabric). The influence of method of incorporation of GnPs in the composites were evaluated from the mechanical properties, i.e., tensile, fiber pull-out and drop weight impact tests. The composite containing 0.5 wt.% GnPs on fiber surface showed the highest tensile strength with an improvement of 212% and the composite containing 0.5 wt.% GnPs in matrix showed higher energy absorption with 52% over the pristine composite. The influence of 0.5 wt.% GnPs added on the fiber surface improved the interfacial shear strength by 136% over pristine due to the enhancement of adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface.