Interfacial Engineering of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates Using Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets: Experimental and Numerical Study

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | 03 | Page :
    By

    Sandip K. Kadu,

  • Palash Soni,

  • Shripad R. Nimbalkar,

  1. Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oriental University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oriental University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Mechanical engineering, Pravara Rural Engineering College, Loni, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Current research work studies the influence of amines(–NH₂) and carboxyl(–COOH) functionalized graphene nanoplatelets on the mechanical and thermomechanical behavior of unidirectional hybrid composite. Composites having different graphene concentration from 0 to 0.7 wt% were fabricated, characterized and analyzed for multiple testing – tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Tensile testing indicates better elastic modulus and tensile strength due to efficient load transfer between nanoparticles fiber and matrix with most improved properties at 0.5% graphene. Finite element analysis has been performed to simulate orthotropic laminate properties and maximum-stress first-ply failure theory generates the experimental stress–strain response and failure load, with deviations within 5%. DMA indicates increase in storage modulus and elevation in glass transition temperature(Tg), which improves interfacial bonding and better polymer chain mobility due to graphene reinforcement. Functionalization improves dispersion and interfacial bonding. Amine functionalized graphene nanoparticles (GNP) results in minor better modulus. The maximum flexural stress of the composite specimen was equal to the corresponding stress of the peak force before the failure of the specimen and flexural strength of hybrid layered composite evaluated for o.5% wt. fraction of GnP. In totality, the combined experimentation and FEA approach demonstrates that functionalized GNP improves mechanical and thermomechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer.

Keywords: Multi-phase composite, mechanical characterisation, functionalisation, GnP, glass transition temperature, loss modulus

How to cite this article:
Sandip K. Kadu, Palash Soni, Shripad R. Nimbalkar. Interfacial Engineering of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates Using Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets: Experimental and Numerical Study. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
Sandip K. Kadu, Palash Soni, Shripad R. Nimbalkar. Interfacial Engineering of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates Using Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets: Experimental and Numerical Study. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=243148


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
03
Received 15/04/2026
Accepted 22/04/2026
Published 07/05/2026
Publication Time 22 Days
33

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