Mechanical properties of a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite improved by integrating multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets

The pairs of nanofillers prepared by graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the epoxy matrix in various ratios to produce hybrid epoxy nanocomposites. The effects of the presence of these nanofillers at 0.1–0.4 wt.% on the mechanical and thermal properties were tested. Likewise, carbon fiber reinforced MWCNT/GNP modified epoxy nanocomposite laminates were also manufactured and tested. The dispersion of nanofiller in the polymer matrix was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was determined that the hybrid composite consisting of a MWCNT:GNP ratio of 1:3 and a nanofiller ratio of 0.3 wt.% showed the best mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 75.1 MPa. The presence of GNPs and MWCNT nanofillers in epoxy/carbon fiber laminates influenced positively the tensile strength and strain but negatively the elastic modulus. Glass transition temperature of epoxy increased from 87.25°C to 114.67°C for MWCNT:GNP ratio of 1:1 (0.3 wt.%).