Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Nano Hexagonal Boron Nitride Integrated Epoxy Adhesives in Bonded GFRP and CFRP Composite Joints

Abstract

In this study, two kinds of fiber reinforced thermoset composites (glass and carbon fiber) were fabricated with almost same volume fraction and thickness and bonded with epoxy adhesives (ADs) with various weight contents of nano hexagonal boron nitride (nano-h-BN) (0, 1, 2 and 3 wt%). The single-lap shear (SLS) tests were conducted on bonded joints with ADs. The effects of nano-h-BN contents on the morphology and micro-structure of the epoxy ADs were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The specimens with the glass fiber reinforced composites with 2-wt% nano-h-BN showed the highest results of SLS strength characteristics with an improvement of 23.6 % and 37.2 % in the SLS strength compared to the specimens with the glass fiber and without nano-h-BN in 0 degrees and 90 degrees directions. Furthermore, the specimens with the carbon fiber reinforced composites with 2-wt% nano-h-BN showed an improvement of 191.7 % and 78.3 % in the SLS strength compared to the specimens with the carbon fiber and without nano-h-BN in 0 degrees and 90 degrees directions.