Mechanical Characterization of Graphene—Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Based Kevlar–Carbon Hybrid Fabric Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have been gaining attention in recent years. The addition of a low content of nanomaterials into the matrix improves mechanical, wear, thermal, electrical, and flame-retardant properties. The present work aimed to investigate the effect of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles on Kevlar and hybrid fiber-reinforced composites (FRP). Composites are fabricated with different filler concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.% by using a hand layup process. Characterizations like tensile, flexural, hardness, and impact strength were evaluated separately, heat deflection and viscosity properties of the epoxy composites. The dynamic viscosity findings indicated that a higher concentration of filler material resulted in nano-particle agglomeration. Graphene filler showed superior properties when compared to hexagonal boron nitride filler. Graphene showed optimum mechanical properties at 0.3 wt.%, whereas the hBN filler showed optimum properties at 0.5 wt.%. As compared to Kevlar composites, hybrid (carbon–Kevlar) composites significantly improved properties. As compared to graphene-filled composites, hexagonal boron nitride-filled composites increased scratch resistance. Digimat simulations were performed to validate experimental results, and it was observed that hybrid fabric composites exhibited better results when compared to Kevlar composites. The error percentage of all composites are within 10%, and it was concluded that hybrid–graphene fiber composites exhibited superior properties compared to Kevlar composites.