Improvement of compressive strength after impact in fibre reinforced polymer composites by matrix modification with thermally reduced graphene oxide

In this study fibre reinforced laminates with a graphene oxide modified epoxy matrix were manufactured using a filament winding technology for prepreg production. Dispersion of the nano-particles was achieved with a three roll mill. Cross-ply laminates with carbon and glass fibres and different nano-particle loadings were produced. Impact damage was introduced with an instrumented drop weight tower. Prior to mechanical testing damage size was determined using ultrasonic c-scans and pulse phase thermography. The defect size was reduced significantly with increasing graphene oxide loading in the matrix. Residual compressive properties of the laminates improved significantly for the modified specimen, with the glass fibre laminates showing the highest improvement of 55% when compared to unmodified specimens. In addition to the improved mechanical properties the matrix modification also improved the phase contrast of the thermography data thus enabling better detection of defects and improved detection limits.