Effect of using multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy adhesive in enhancing glass fiber reinforced polymer composite through cocure manufacturing technique

The high-performance epoxy-based cocure manufacturing technique has been used to join composite structures such as wings, frames, and ribs in aerospace applications. The present study aims to examine the influence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) addition on mechanical and free vibrational behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites fabricated through cocure manufacture technique. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 1 wt.% of MWCNTs enriched the tensile and flexural properties of cocured composites by 27.8% (344 Mpa) and 26.16% (379.12 Mpa), respectively. Shear analysis depicted that 0.25 wt.% MWCNT reinforcement significantly enhanced the shear strength of cocured lap joints by 63.8% (16.79 MPa). The scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy indicated that homogenous dispersion of MWCNTs enriched the interfacial bonding, deviated the crack path, and formed uneven surfaces. A comparison between the failure mode of neat and modified adhesive demonstrated the effective presence of MWCNTs in changing the adhesive failure mode of cocured composite to cohesive. Thus, it enhanced the failure strength of cocured composites. The experimental free vibrational analysis affirmed that addition of 1 wt.% MWCNTs enhanced the fundamental natural frequency whereas, lower wt.% MWCNT addition increased the cocured composites' inherent damping due to higher-level formation of agglomeration area in the composite. Thus, it increased the stress level and minimized the bonding between fiber and matrix.