• R.Vijayakumar
• S K Maharana

Composite materials are widely used in aerospace and other fields, mainly due to their light weight, high strength to weight ratio, chemical resistance and high fatigue life of the different types of composites. Polymer matrix composites find extensive applications in aerospace industries. Currently fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites constitute more than 90% of the total composite used in aerospace industry. The abundant use of composites in aerospace filed has motivated the authors to take up an experimental work to figure out the necessary mechanical properties of a new Polymer Matrix Composite (PMC). The method of manufacturing a PMC has used commercially available epoxy resin systems. PMC is one of the key survival materials in aerospace products whether it is for civil or military use. In the current work an attempt has been made for a low cost manufacturing method. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which finds its application for both military and civil purposes, has been considered where the composite shall be used. The utmost goal, therefore, is that the composite should have minimum weight and high strength when it is used for a UAV. The polymer composite laminate of epoxy resin systems and graphene oxide reinforced with glass fiber has been fabricated by hand layup method. The fabricated laminate is further cut in to test specimens as per ASTM standards and tested for its strength and stiffness. As per the experimental studies the strength to weight ratio is increased compared to literature, this base material with combination of graphene we are using for an Aerospace applications such UAV, as a part of further research we are fabricating UAV with Graphene-Epoxy. The peak load carrying capacity is satisfactory for EPWM12 (epoxy woven mat 12 layers). The 3 Pt flexural strength and peak load carrying capacity is better than that for EPWM12 (epoxy woven mat 12 layers). Epoxy with woven mat combination is good compared to the chopped mat where the filler material plays an important role to increase the strength of the polymer composites. As per the literature 1.5% of graphene oxide (GO) is added to all laminates which act as a filler material and increase the tensile strength.

Epoxy, Graphene, Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Composite, Laminate.

"Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Graphene Polymer Matrix Composites for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 7, page no.765-775, July-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807715.pdf

"Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Graphene Polymer Matrix Composites for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 7, page no. pp765-775, July-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1807715.pdf