Synergistic effect of graphene oxide and glass fiber on mchanical and thermal properties of composites: Experimental and simulation investigations

Abstract

In this investigation, the effects of short glass fibers and graphene oxide on the thermal and mechanical properties on shape memory composites were investigated. The thermal conductivity results showed that the highest efficiency was achieved at 0.05 wt% graphene oxide, with the heat transfer rate increasing by 22.09 % compared to pure epoxy resin. The addition of short glass fibers improved graphene oxide dispersion, further enhancing thermal conductivity. Mechanical tests indicated that tensile strength increased by 26.8 % at a glass fiber content of 0.15 wt%, while elongation at break improved by 3.51 %, demonstrating the significant role of glass fibers in enhancing both strength and toughness. However, graphene oxide had a limited effect on mechanical properties. Shape memory tests demonstrated a shape fixation rate exceeding 99.4 % and revealed that glass fibers enhanced the shape recovery rate, while graphene oxide improved thermal conductivity, accelerating the recovery process. The short glass fibers and graphene oxide have a synergistic effect on the thermal and mechanical performance of epoxy resin-based shape memory composites, providing valuable data and guidance for optimizing high-performance structural materials.