Title : Graphene oxide coated-glass fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester composites
Abstract:
Glass fiber/unsaturated polyester (GF/UPE) composites have widespread utilization in the field of construction, aerospace and automobile industries due to their light weight, high strength and chemical/weather resistance. This work aims to study the effect of graphene oxide (GO) coated-glass fibers on the mechanical properties of GF/UPE composites. GO coating of woven glass fiber mats (GF) was developed by soaking GF mats in GO/ethanol suspension followed by vacuum drying. GO coated-GF/UPE and GF/UPE composites were prepared by hand layup technique followed by curing under compression. GF/UPE composites were also prepared by dispersing GO at 0.25 wt.% in UPE matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy techniques confirmed successful deposition of GO on GF. Mechanical tests of composites such as tensile, bend and impact were carried out to determine the effect of GO coating on the mechanical response of composites. The results showed that GO coated-GF improved mechanical properties of GF/UPE composite compared to equivalent composites developed with uncoated GF and with UPE matrix having GO as dispersed filler attributed to development of stronger interfacial bond between GO, GF and UPE.
Audience take away:
• A novel technique will be explained in which glass fibers will be coated with graphene oxide. Further, audience will learn how to develop graphene reinforced/ glass fiber reinforced/polymer composites.
• This paper will introduce a novel technique of coating glass fibers with graphene oxide. This will help to eliminate the use of conventional silane coupling agents from the glass fibers reinforced/polyester composites. Graphene oxide synthesis and their subsequent coating on GF will be explicitly explained in this work, this will help other scientists and researchers to do similar research in their labs.
