Effect of dispersion of alumina nanoparticles and graphene nanoplatelets on microstructural and mechanical characteristics of hybrid carbon/glass fibers reinforced polymer composite

Dispersion of nanoparticles into fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) has a pivotal role in strengthening their structures for critical applications such as wind turbines' blades via enhancing their mechanical properties. The current study focuses on reinforcing the FRPs used in construction of turbine blade through adding alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to enhance the rigidity of the weak part of blades and improve their fracture toughness. Different analyses have been conducted to investigate the effect of the dispersion of nanoparticles on the microstructure of the reinforced and unreinforced samples, including optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical behavior of the reinforced and unreinforced samples was investigated in terms of tensile strength, hardness, and bending strength. Microstructural observations elucidated the achievements of excellent scattering between the matrix of FRPs and the reinforcement nanoparticles of Al2O3 and GNPs. The superior dispersion pattern of the nanoparticles of GNPs and Al2O3 inside the matrix of FRPs leads to obtain free-defects samples with extraordinary mechanical characteristics in terms of strength performance and fracture toughness. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.