Challenges and opportunities on nano-enabled multifunctional composites for aerostructures

¹ Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI), Materials and Composite Structures unit, Porto, Portugal
² Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation of Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, Greece
³ Associated Laboratory of Energy, Transports and Aeronautics (LAETA), Faculty of Engineering, Porto University, Porto, Portugal

^* Corresponding author: rmsantos@inegi.up.pt

Abstract

The incorporation of carbon-based nanomaterials in the polymeric matrix of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites has recently received worldwide attention, aiming to enhance their performance and multifunctionality. In this work, different loadings of nanoparticles from the graphene family, including reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), were produced from graphite exfoliation. The mixing conditions for the production of epoxy-based suspensions were optimized using a three-roll mill, by changing the residence time and hydrodynamic shear stresses. The rheological behaviour, electrical conductivity and optical assessment were performed to study the influence of these nanoreinforcements on the resin properties. Afterwards, pristine and modified suspensions containing 0.089 wt. % of rGO or 2.14 wt. % of GNPs were used for manufacturing pre-impregnated materials with carbon fibre volume fractions of approximately 59 %. The nano-enabled CFRPs presented improved transverse electrical conductivity between 48 and 64 % when compared to the reference material. Significant enhancement of interlaminar fracture toughness (98.4 %) was found with GNPs.