Design of glass fiber reinforced plastics modified with CNT and pre-stretching fabric for potential sports instruments

• Published in: Materials & design 2016-02, Vol.92, p.621-631
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xin, Wang, Pengfei, Neo, Haosiang, Lim, Guohui, Malcolm, Andrew Alexander, Yang, En-Hua, Yang, Jinglei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Damage; Failure; Glass fiber reinforced plastic; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Hardness tests; Indentation; Mechanical properties; Modulus of rupture in bending; Pre-stretched fabric; Tensile tests
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.12.051

In this work, a series of quasi-static tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRPs) which have potential applications in sports instruments. The epoxy resins were modified with 0.4%, 0.75%, and 1.1% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by weight and the glass fabrics were pre-stretched at 1.27kg and 2.47kg to study the effects of MWCNTs and pre-stretching on the mechanical properties of GFRPs. The experimental results suggested that the MWCNTs played an important role in strengthening the energy absorption capability of GFRPs. The 0.75%/GFRP had higher tensile fracture work with fewer damages, while the 0.4%/GFRP showed the largest flexural strength and failure strain, and both 0.4%/GFRP and 0.75%/GFRP showed damage resistance improving in quasi-static indentation. The MWCNT enhancement mechanisms of tensile and flexural tests also influenced the quasi-static indentation test. Pre-stretch improved the mechanical properties in tension and quasi-static indentation. The mechanical properties of GFRPs were improved under combined pre-stretching and MWCNTs, especially in tensile tests. However, overstretch led to deterioration in the properties in all of the tests. [Display omitted] •Fiber reinforced plastic with 0.75% carbon nanotube has the highest tensile fracture work.•Fiber reinforced plastic with 0.4% carbon nanotube performs best in bending property.•Prestretched fabric improves tensile and quasi-static indentation properties•Overstretched fabric leads to deterioration in the properties in all of the tests.