Enhancing an Aerospace Grade Benzoxazine Resin by Means of Graphene Nanoplatelets Addition

Two different contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs: 0.5 and 2 wt.%) were introduced into benzoxazine resin. The main objective of this work is to obtain a polymeric nanocomposite with multifunctional properties as high electrical and thermal conductivity, maintaining or improving its mechanical performance. The quality of the dispersion, performed with a three-roll calender, was studied. Afterward, a complete characterization of the nanocomposites was carried out in order to analyse the benefits of neat resin. The main features of the nanocomposites such as the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties, their electrical and thermal conductivity and the behaviour under hygrothermal aging, were evaluated. Results allowed us to confirm that benzoxazine/GNPs composites exhibited an increase in the tensile strength of polymeric matrix which was accompanied by a rise in elongation at break. The electrical and thermal conductivities exhibited a remarkable increment with the addition of 2 wt.% of GNPs (six orders of magnitude and 49% respectively). Finally, the barrier properties of benzoxazine resin were also favoured with the presence of GNPs because the maximum water absorbed in a hot-water environment decreased from 2.52% to 2.14% when 0.5 wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets was added.

Automated summary

By introducing two different contents of graphene nanoplatelets into benzoxazine resin, a polymeric nanocomposite with multifunctional properties including high electrical and thermal conductivity was obtained. The nanocomposites showed improved mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties, as well as increased electrical and thermal conductivities. Additionally, the barrier properties of the resin were enhanced by the addition of graphene nanoplatelets.