Graphene Interleaves for High Strength and Toughness Composites

Throughoutnbsp;NASArsquo;s technology roadmap the need for improved materials is called out in nearly all Technology Areas and are highlighted as the enablers behind the structures, devices, vehicles, power, life support, propulsion, entry, and many other systems that NASA develops and uses to fulfill its missions.nbsp;nbsp;This need is evident in the next-generation aerospace programs, which demand lightweight composite materials that can endure higher service temperatures in structural and hot section components.nbsp;nbsp;New materials are required with improvednbsp;properties, combinations of properties and reliability.nbsp;nbsp;While composite materials have become ubiquitous in aerospace structures over the past decade, they have the major limitation that they are prove to delamination through interlaminar cracking.nbsp;nbsp;Trimer Technologies recently identified a unique interlaminar reinforcement technology based on graphene applied to the surface of a prepreg which through preliminary testing has been shown to increase the Mode II fracture toughness of IM7/8552 prepreg by 42% compared to bare prepreg.nbsp;nbsp;This material enhancement is achieved using a low-cost approach which is scalable and can be applied directly to the surface of existing prepregs or formed and applied in line with filament winding or automated tow placement procedures.nbsp;nbsp;The research proposed will study the graphene formation, demonstrate roll-to-roll manufacturing and optimize the graphene structure to maximize the strength and toughness of fiber reinforced composites.nbsp;nbsp;The proposed approach offers a novel, scalable and low-cost method to increase the toughness of composite materials with thermally stable and high strength graphene.nbsp;nbsp;Moreover, the superior electrical and thermal properties of graphene may be leveraged to reduce manufacturing costs and add multifunctionality.