Graphene oxide coated fibres for improved chemical resistance of FRP

Important results from the project

The aim of the project was, by coating of conventional fibres with graphene oxide (GO), to produce fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) and dual laminates with better resistance against hydrofluoric acid (HF). Four different fibres were coated, two synthetics, two glass fibres, and it turned out that the synthetic fibres had very good adhesion to the GO while the glass fibres, with present sizing, did not work so well. For synthetic fibres the GO-modification led to enhanced sheer strength of dual laminates after exposure to HF.

Expected long term effects

En ökad av vidhäftningsförmågan mellan härdplast och termoplast tack vara GO-modifiering av fibrer har kunnat uppvisas i labbet. Med tanke på den risk för delaminering som finns i konstruktioner för HF-hantering på grund av termoplastens permeabilitet så öppnar en förbättrad vidhäftning och motståndskraft möjligheten för bättre produkter. Att GO-beläggning kan göras på mindre områden öppnar även upp för att tillverka mindre serier av specialiserade laminat mot HF samt ytterligare en marknad för företag som belägger fibrer med GO.

Approach and implementation

The plan for the project worked well in general. An initial work package to screen fibres and the influence of surface treatment (silanes) from fibre production would have been beneficial. In this way glass fibres with most suitable silanes could have been chosen for the project. Since glass fibres are highly sensitive to HF an intact GO-modification would probably result in a better protection thus a greater effect on the resistance of the composites and dual laminates against HF.