Influence of Kenaf and GO on interlaminar radial stresses in glass/epoxy L-bend laminates

Laminates of L-bends are inherently weak in the through thickness direction at the region of curvature. To address this behavior, experimental investigations have been made to find the influence of graphene oxide (GO) and Kenaf short fibres on interlaminar radial stress of a unidirectional glass epoxy L-bend composite laminate. Kenaf in the range of 5-10 wt% and GO in the range of 1-2 wt% were loaded at each ply at the curvature of a L-bend and their influence on curved beam strength (CBS) was investigated experimentally as per ASTM D6415. L-bend composite specimens with and without fillers were fabricated with the aid of hand lamination technique. Four point bending fixtures were designed and fabricated to hold the specimen firmly in the uniaxial tension machine. Tests were carried out as per ASTM D6415 and load displacement plots were carefully recorded. Experimental data revealed that the laminate loaded with Kenaf fibres at the curvature radius of L-bend had greater influence on CBS and interlaminar stresses than GO. Further, the delaminated surfaces of L-bend at the curvature region was carefully examined using scanning electron microscope to know the interfacial adhesion mechanism of Kenaf and GO with epoxy and glass fibre.