Fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) are important materials in industries where
weight plays a limiting factor because FRCs have high strength to weight ratios.
Graphene is a relatively new material which has been studied for its promising effects on
the mechanical properties of reinforced composites. Additionally, flax fibers are of
interest in the composite industry for their sustainability and bio-renewability. This paper
examines the effects of graphene additives at 0.125 wt. % of polymer and polymer-flax
composites and how graphene alters the long-term mechanical properties of samples
exposed to environmental conditioning. Samples include polymer, polymer-graphene,
polymer-flax, and polymer-flax-graphene. Specimens were conditioned in water at 22
and 60 °C for 3 and 6 weeks. The samples, including control, were then subject to a postconditioning
oven dry for 24 h at 60 °C. Graphene introduction appears to have reduced
water absorption with respect to change in mass before and after environmental
conditioning. Based on tensile data of ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus,
graphene was not evenly dispersed throughout the epoxy matrix as evident by a decrease
in tensile properties of control samples including graphene vs. those control samples
without. Some of the results were promising; however, to limit graphene agglomeration,
further steps need to be taken including the use of surfactants, selecting a different
polymer matrix, and/or using an ultrasonic mixing technique.
