Multi-parameter analysis of curing cycle for GNPs/glass fabric/ epoxy laminated nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, a multi-parameter analysis, using Taguchi method for design of experiments, has been conducted to investigate the optimum curing conditions for GNPs/E-glass fabric/epoxy laminated nanocomposites. The independent variables in the L25 Taguchi orthogonal array were heating rate, curing temperature and curing time, addressing five levels each. Tensile and 3-point bending tests were performed for each experiment number (run number) of the Taguchi L25. The analysis shown that the most significant para¬meter for tensile strength is the time and for flexural strength is the tem¬pe¬ra¬ture. Also, it shown that the optimum performance was obtained for tem¬pera-ture values greater than the glass transition temperature Tg.

Keywords

• polymer-matrix composites
• nanocomposites
• graphene nano platelets
• curing
• mechanical testing
• multi-parameter analysis