OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR CARBON FIBRE PHENOLIC COMPOSITES WITH ADDED NANO ZrO2 AND GRAPHENE OXIDE FILLERS

Abstract

Carbon fibers are one of the high strength carbon laminates used in various aeronautical and industrial applications. Improvement in mechanical properties is always recognized research in materials, carbon fiber laminates also need to improve the properties in specific complex shapes. To maximize the extent of research Nano fillers of ZrO₂ and a substitution of graphene oxide added to the layers in vacuum impingement method. Previous researches stated that graphene filler with 1% given better results when mixed with carbon fiber, the research varied ZrO₂ filler only. Taguchi method of optimization with L9 experimentation conducted to optimize better parameters after graphene addition. All samples coated with phenol resin with 0.5mm thickness for stable results.  Mini-tab used to optimize the Taguchi prediction and the results showing that 1.5 ZrO₂ at 20bar and 90 degrees curing temperature given good results compare to other experiments.