Effect of graphene nanoplatelets on the mechanical and gas barrier properties of woven carbon fibre/epoxy composites

Abstract Carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are promising materials for non-metallic pipe applications in the oil and gas industry owing to their high corrosion resistance, specific strength stiffness. However, CFRP has poor barrier performance meaning that a liner be inserted. Graphene-based nanomaterials have been demonstrated improve properties thermoplastic polymers, thus, CFRP–graphene hybrid composite could provide an alternative lined pipes. In this work, method combining spray coating with vacuum-assisted resin infusion was developed fabricate preferred in-plane aligned graphene nanoplatelets. Tensile flexural properties, as well CO 2 permeability, were evaluated. It illustrated both tensile performed better under relatively low GNP loadings (< 0.2 vol%), while property significantly improved increasing which fits Nielsen model effective aspect ratio of 350. Graphical abstract