FABRICATION AND DIFFERENT CHARACTERIZATION OF GRAPHENE NANO PLATELETS REINFORCED EPOXY NANO COMPOSITES

Abstract

In this research, Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforced epoxy nano composites were fabricated via magnetic stirrer and ultra sonification assisted hand layup method. The impact of different weight percentage of GNP (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0%) on different characteristics of nano composites was evaluated. The microstructure analysis of developed nano composite was determined by Field emission scanning electron microscopy. It was examined that epoxy nano composites containing 0.5 wt.% GNP have the highest tensile, flexural, and impact strength compared to neat epoxy. The reduction in tensile and flexural strength is achieved at 1% of GNP. Adding more nanofiller to a certain limit causes non-uniform dispersion and agglomeration of nanoparticles, which results in a reduction in properties. The 1% GNP reinforced nano composite has the highest value of shore hardness.