Mechanical behaviour of graphene and carbon fibre reinforced epoxy based hybrid nanocomposites for orthotic callipers

The current analysis examines the efficiency of a composite with polymer matrix reinforced with carbon fibre and graphene at the micro and nano level respectively as an alternative material for aluminium components of Orthotic callipers. An attempt has been made to use both the carbon fibre and graphene as hybrid reinforcement with the matrix as epoxy resin. The addition of graphene and carbon fibre was 2% and 10% respectively by weight of epoxy. Dispersion of graphene was carried out using an ultrasonic sonicator and carbon fibres were a reinforced using hand lay-up technique. The total fabrication was carried out under vacuum to ensure void-free test samples. The samples were tested under tension and 3 Point Bending condition to estimate the Tensile and Flexural properties, under permissible load and deflection criteria. The results found were then compared with presently used material for orthotic callipers extensively used by amputees suffering from the locomotive, gait issues, and polio-affected survivors. The proposed composite showed higher strength, lower deformation and higher stiffness with a lower weight-to-volume ratio as compared to presently used material, i.e. aluminium.