Structure-property relationship of glass fabric/MWCNT/epoxy multi-layered laminates

Abstract

Neat glass fabric/epoxy composites (GECs) and multi-wall carbon nanotube/glass fabric/epoxy composites (MWCNTGECs) were prepared by hand-lay-up followed by compression molding technique and investigated the structural properties. It is found that the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the glass fabric reinforced epoxy composite improved upon the addition of MWCNTs. The 0.3 wt%MWCNTs filled glass fabric/epoxy composite (0.3MWCNTGECs) exhibits better properties as compared to 0.075 wt% MWCNT filled glass fabric/epoxy composites (0.075MWCNTCs), 0.15 wt% MWCNT filled glass fabric/epoxy composites (0.15MWCNTCs) and GECs. The mechanism of wear failure of these composites was analyzed from the morphology of worn surfaces. It was observed solid lubricant film established on the wear track at higher normal loads reduces the wear. The correlation of Vickers's hardness and Lancaster factor (σe)−1 with specific wear rate is investigated and reported. © 2020