Synergistic Enhancement in Mechanical Properties and Wear Behavior of Graphene / MWCNT Reinforced Polyaryletherketone – Carbon Fiber Multiscale Composites: Experimental Studies and Finite Element Analysis

Abstract This investigation focuses on the synergistic performance improvement in graphene/MWCNT reinforced polyaryletherketone (PAEK) - carbon fabric (CF) multiscale composites. FTIR revealed the chemical interactions while HRTEM, XRD and 3D X-ray microscopy gave insight into nanofiller dispersion and microstructural features. The functional groups on nanofillers along with structural features integrated various components of the multiscale composites by formation of graphene/MWCNT/CF complex network that provided larger interfacial area, bridging effect and physico-chemical interaction with PAEK while restricting its segmental mobility. Multiscale composites displayed significantly improved strength, fracture toughness, interlaminar shear strength, glass transition temperature and tribological performance. Under dynamic load, graphene/MWCNT reinforcement of matrix and CF synergistically increases the storage modulus and energy absorption characteristics. Wear and fracture surface morphology of nano and multiscale composites showed ductile failure confirming interfacial adhesion. The failure behavior in experimental studies was supported by Abaqus/Explicit-based FEM models of fracture toughness response. This work provides a promising avenue to develop next generation high performance thermoplastic composites for structural applications.