Development of Multi-Functional Graphene Composites for Aerospace Structures

Abstract

Fibre composites have been widely used in the aerospace industry for many years with increasing prevalence in the sector. The integration of nanomaterials such as graphene is of great interest in order to determine whether benefits derived from polymer composites can be successfully transferred to that of fibre based composites. In the following studies GnPs were integrated into both a polymer matrix and fibre composites via multiple methods. The first of these studies is concerned with GnP integration into a polymer matrix to produce a nanocomposite. An increase in viscosity of the resin was measured with increasing GnP content. Improvements in mechanical properties were noted along with enhancements in water uptake properties such as saturation value and diffusion rates. Mechanical properties after water saturation were also seen to improve upon the addition of GnPs. Conductivity measurements showed little improvement give the small concentrations of GnPs used. The second study focussed on GnP incorporation into carbon fibre composites with multiple methods being employed. Firstly, a standard infusion method was employed which had multiple issues with infusion time and GnP filtration- which was further analysed to derive size distributions of the GnP. A second composite production method was utilised through the use of an epoxy/GnP sizing mixture with differing GnP contents. An increase in void content increase had negative effects on mechanical, water uptake properties with composites of lower GnP content performing better due to their lack of voids. In-plane conductivity saw a notable improvement. The final study concerned a third production method utilising a resin film and a spray coat method to place GnPs on surface of said film. Reduced void content resulted in mechanical properties showed slight improvement compared to the previous method. Saturated mechanical properties showed marked 12 improvement with this resin film method too. Conductivity properties also showed slight improvement with GnP content and conductance.

Date of Award	8 Nov 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Ian Kinloch (Main Supervisor) & Robert Young (Co Supervisor)