Investigation on tribological and mechanical behaviour of GFRP composites with varying weight percentages of nano-graphite powders

This paper investigates the effect of adding nano-graphite powders in varying weight percentages (0-4 wt%) on the tribological and mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced composites (GFRP). The GFRP composite plates were fabricated using a compression molding technique with a 50-tonne compression molding machine. Tribological properties, including specific wear rate and coefficient of friction, were evaluated through pin-on-disc wear tests conducted according to ASTM standards. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, shear strength, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were assessed using a computerized universal testing machine (UTM). The results demonstrated that incorporating nano-graphite powders significantly enhances the tribological and mechanical performance of GFRP composites, including increases in flexural and tensile strength, wear resistance, and coefficient of friction. This study highlights the advantages of nano-graphite addition in GFRP composites and provides valuable insights for the development of self-fabricated GFRP materials.