The effect of graphene as the matrix strengthener in fiber reinforced polymer composites was studied for the improvement of several properties of flax/epoxy composites. Physical and mechanical characteristics of the hybrid composite along with flammability and water absorption properties are thoroughly studied for varied quantities of graphene added to the epoxy resin. The modified epoxy resin was infused on the flax fabric using vacuum resin infusion technique. The presence of graphene in flax/epoxy composites was found to act as a flame retardant and the flammability is found to decrease with increase in graphene content. The water absorption rate was also reduced significantly to 0.1 wt% of graphene. The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites increased by 61% and 71% at 0.1 wt% of graphene but reduced for higher addition of graphene. Fractography reveals that the main mechanisms of failure were matrix fracture and interfacial debonding, predominant for higher graphene content.

中文翻译：

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石墨烯对亚麻织物增强环氧树脂复合材料性能的影响

研究了石墨烯作为纤维增强聚合物复合材料中基体增强剂的作用，以改善亚麻/环氧树脂复合材料的多种性能。对于添加到环氧树脂中的不同数量的石墨烯，对混合复合材料的物理和机械特性以及可燃性和吸水性能进行了深入研究。使用真空树脂灌注技术将改性环氧树脂灌注到亚麻织物上。发现亚麻/环氧树脂复合材料中石墨烯的存在充当阻燃剂，并且发现可燃性随着石墨烯含量的增加而降低。吸水率也显着降低至石墨烯的 0.1 wt%。复合材料的拉伸和弯曲强度在 0.1 wt% 石墨烯时增加了 61% 和 71%，但随着石墨烯添加量的增加而降低。