Fabrication and Characterization of Graphene Hexagonal Boron Nitride Filler based Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite with Sandwich Configuration

Abstract

The focus on advancing lightweight structures in various engineering applications newlinehas expanded opportunities for continuous improvements in fiber-reinforced compos- newlineites, thanks to their combination of lightweight properties and exceptional strength. newlinePolymer nanocomposites have gained increasing attention in recent years. Incorporat- newlineing small amounts of nanomaterials into the matrix enhances mechanical, wear, ther- newlinemal, characteristics. This study aimed to explore the impact of Graphene and Hexagonal newlineBoron Nitride nanoparticles on Kevlar and Hybrid fiber-reinforced composites (FRP). newlineComposites were manufactured using different filler concentrations of 0%, 0.1%, 0.3%, newlineand 0.5% via a hand layup process. Various characterizations, including tensile, flexu- newlineral, hardness, and impact strength tests, were conducted, in addition to assessments of newlinethe heat deflection, Wear, scratch and viscosity properties of the epoxy composites. newlineGraphene displayed optimal mechanical properties at a concentration of 0.3 wt%, newlinewhile hBN fillers demonstrated their best properties at 0.5 w%. Digimat simulations newlinewere employed to validate the experimental results, revealing that Hybrid fabric com- newlineposites outperformed Kevlar composites. The error percentage for all composites re- newlinemained below 10%, leading to the conclusion that Hybrid-graphene fiber composites newlineexhibited superior properties when compared to Kevlar composites. newlineThis study sought to investigate the influence of Graphene and hexagonal Boron Ni- newlinetride (h-BN) fillers on Carbon, Kevlar, and hybrid fabric matrices when forming fiber- newlinereinforced composites. Specific properties, such as storage modulus, loss modulus, newlinedamping factor, and glass transition temperature, were determined for various composites to understand how fillers, fabric combinations, and their interaction synergistically affect these properties. A unique aspect of this work involved inter-correlating the Full Width-Half Maximum (FWHM) of loss modulus (E ) plots to comprehend abrasive wear phenomena. An inhomogeneity