Kevlar Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite for Structural Application

In any structural systems, the material properties play a major role in their behavior when subjected to different loadings. The present work focuses on the development of novel hybrid polymer based composite in which Kevlar and Kevlar with graphene was used as filler material in L-12 epoxy resin to enhance mechanical properties of Kevlar reinforced polymer composite. Kevlar because of its distinguished mechanical properties such as high strength to weight ratio and resistance to impact loading has wide variety of applications. Reinforcement at varied proportions in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 wt % has been used to determine the optimum performance in-terms of load bearing capacity for the modified composite. Further the performance of hybrid composite with varied Kevlar dosage from 0.1 to 0.4wt% and a constant dosage of 0.3wt% of graphene has been investigated. The results of modified beams are compared with unmodified beams to check the efficacy of the reinforcement for the intended application. SEM and EDX were conducted to determine the dispersion state of Kevlar pulp in the holding matrix, behaviour of Kevlar with graphene in the matrix and to study the effect of impurities on the mechanical properties under study. The Kevlar reinforcement showed appreciable increase in mechanical properties. (paper)