Enhanced cryogenic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites by introducing graphene oxide

In this work, graphene oxide (GO) with a content in a range of 0.0-0.5 wt% was introduced to modify epoxy resin. The room temperature (RT) and cryogenic temperature (77 K) mechanical properties were systematically studied for the carbon fiber/GO-modified epoxy composites prepared by hot-press molding process. The results show that a good dispersion of GO in epoxy resin leads to an enhanced carbon fiber-epoxy matrix interfacial adhesion. It is observed that the cryogenic mechanical properties of the CF/epoxy composites are obviously enhanced by introducing GO. The optimal GO content is found to be 0.2 wt% for effectively improving the cryogenic flexural and interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites. In addition, it is exhibited that the mechanical properties at 77 K of CFRP composites are higher than those at RT. Consequently, the modification of epoxy resin by introducing GO is a promising means for achieving high cryogenic mechanical performance CFRP composites.