Session: 03-05-03: Design, Material Processing, and Applications of Metal and Ceramic Composites

Paper Number: 95066

95066 - "A Study on the Effect of Graphene on the Vibrational and Flame Retardant Characteristics of the GFRP Composites" 

Epoxy resin reinforced with woven glass fiber is one of the most commonly used composites in manufacturing industries and is widely used for various applications. Carbon-based nanostructures have attracted scientists, due to their exceptional physical and mechanical properties. In this work, the graphene nanoparticles were reinforced in the GFRP composites to improve their mechanical, vibrational, and flame retardant properties. First, the graphene nanoparticles were mixed in the epoxy resin through mechanical stirring and ultra-sonication techniques to avoid the agglomeration of nanoparticles. This graphene mixed epoxy resin was used for the production of nanocomposites. The weight % of the glass fibre and epoxy matrix was kept constant, and the graphene weight percentage was varied for the nanocomposites. Three nanocomposites plate namely G1 (GFRP+0.025 wt.% graphene), G2 (GFRP+0.05 wt.% graphene), G3 (GFRP+1 wt.% graphene), and a neat composite plate without graphene (G0) were fabricated using the hand layup method followed by compression moulding. The tensile, vibrational, and rate of burning test samples were cut from the rectangular composite plate as per ASTM standard. The effect of graphene on the damping properties of the composites was studied by using a free vibration test. The reduction in natural frequency was witnessed in the nanocomposite material ensuring the effective interfacial bonding between the graphene and matrix. Also, the graphene acts as a nano spring while applying the load, hence absorbing the vibration to a larger extent. Thus the graphene-based composites exhibit better vibrational characteristics than the neat composites. The rate of burning test was carried out on the composite samples as per ASTM D-635. The results confirm that the addition of graphene resulted in improved flame retardancy due to the formation of a protective char layer. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and shore hardness were analysed with the help of Instron UTM machine and shore hardness tester respectively. The highest tensile strength value was observed in the 0.05 wt.% graphene composites, which is ~1.5 times higher than that of the neat composites. The strength reduction in 0.1 wt.% graphene composites is due to the percolation of graphene, which acts as a potential site for stress concentration. Unlike tensile strength, the shore hardness value increased with the wt.% of the graphene reinforcement. This study elaborates the synergetic effect of graphene on the mechanical and vibrational characteristics of the composites. These results suggest the possibility of using graphene based nanocomposites for the structural composites where vibration and high temperature are major an issue.

 

Keywords: Glass-fiber reinforced composite, Graphene, Free Vibration, Flame retardancy, Flexural Strength

Presenting Author: Thangapandian Nagamalai St.Joseph's Institute of Technology

Presenting Author Biography: 1. Education and Training:<br/>Anna University Chennai, India Mechanical Engineering B.E. 1998<br/> University of Madras, Chennai, India Computer Aided Design M.E. 2003 <br/>Anna University, Chennai, India Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. 2017<br/><br/>2. Research and Professional Experience<br/>2019-present Asst. Professor, Dept. of Engineering, Math and Technology, NTU, USA. <br/>2008-2019 Senior Grade Asst. Professor, College of Engg. Guindy, Anna University, India.<br/>2006-2007 Sr. Lecturer, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, India.<br/>2000-2006 Sr. Lecturer, Jerusalem College of Engineering, India.<br/><br/>6. Synergistic Activities<br/><br/>a. Member of Technical Review Committee for the International Conference on Materials Engineering and Manufacturing Systems, organized by the Mattest Research Academy, Chennai, India.<br/>b. Member - Board of Studies for School of Mechanical Engineering at Bharath Institute of Science and Technology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education &amp; Research (BIHER) University, India.<br/>c. External Referee for PhD thesis in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Bharath Institute of Science and Technology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education &amp; Research (BIHER) University, India.<br/>d. Member of Technical Review Committee and a Session Chair for the International Conference on Advanced Materials behavior and characterization, organized by the Mattest Research Academy, Chennai, India.<br/>e. Reviewer for the International Journal of Robotics and Automation, published by ACTA press, Calgary, AB, CANADA &amp; International Journal of Simulation &amp; Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization, EDP Sciences-France.<br/>f. Session Co-Chair – International ASME Conference IMECE 2018, Pittsburgh, USA.<br/><br/>7. Students Mentored<br/>Masters : 11 Students<br/>Bachelors : 24 Teams

Authors:

Thangapandian Nagamalai St.Joseph's Institute of Technology
Ragavanantham Shanmugam NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Thirumal Azhagan Murugan College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University
Mohanavel Vinayagam Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Technology
Seth Dennison Navajo Technical University