Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Graphene-Reinforced Carbon Fiber Composite Materials
Abstract
In this study, graphene-reinforced epoxy matrix systems were developed to improve the mechanical performance of carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials. Graphene's superior mechanical, electrical, and thermal conductivity properties make it an effective reinforcement element for high-performance nanocomposite materials. Within the scope of the study, graphene nanosheets were homogeneously distributed into the epoxy resin using different hybrid methods such as ultrasonic, shear, and mechanical mixing. The resulting graphene-reinforced epoxy system was impregnated into carbon fibre fabrics to produce composite panels, which were subjected to tensile, compressive, and flexural tests. Experimental results revealed that homogeneous dispersion achieved through appropriate mixing methods led to significant improvements in the strength and stiffness properties of the composites. Additionally, a direct relationship was observed between graphene's interaction with the matrix, dispersion quality, and mechanical performance. This study is significant as it demonstrates the potential of combining nano-reinforcement and processing techniques to optimise mechanical properties in advanced composite material design.