Improved double impact and flexural performance of hybridized glass basalt fiber reinforced composite with graphene nanofiller for lighter aerostructures

The growing demand for sustainable, lightweight yet rigid and cost-effective materials for airplane construction served as the impetus for this work. An E-glass fiber (400 GSM) is layered in a 6:2 ratio with natural basalt fiber and infused with graphene nanoparticles to produce a more appealing 40% lighter hybrid composite of 1.1 mm thickness for the aviation industry. Samples of hybrid composites with 1% and 2% graphene-to-fiber filler weight ratios are used. Then, using ASTM standard analysis tools, the damage that is caused on toughened laminates during low-velocity drop weight impact tests, tensile, 3-point bending, and Compression After Impact(CAI) is evaluated. The composites' tensile strength, flexural strength, low-velocity double impact, and compression impact strength all significantly improved at 2 wt% graphene, increasing by 37%, 55%, 56%, and 78%, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope analysis of the damaged area demonstrated the presence of impor-tant toughening mechanisms, such as damage confinement through microcracks and improved fiber-matrix bonding. It has been established that adding an optimum blend of graphene and basalt to Glass Fiber Rein-forced Polymer(GFRP) results in an unprecedented increase in effective strength with reduced weight.