Microstructural and mechanical characteristics of graphene oxide‐fly ash cenosphere hybrid reinforced epoxy resin composites

ABSTRACT An experimental investigation into the influence of incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) and fly ash cenospheres (FACs) on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin (EP) composites. Two fillers were studied: GO‐FAC hybrid and single GO. The GO‐FAC hybrid was synthesized using a solution blending method, and characterized by FTIR, XRD, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The modified EP composite specimens were prepared by adding different contents of GO and GO‐FAC hybrid. The investigation showed that the FACs were successfully carried on the GO layer. The experimental data indicated that the addition of GO‐FAC hybrid effectively improved the tensile property and the wear resistance of the EP composites, superior to the addition of single GO samples. The best tensile properties and lowest wear rate of EP composites were obtained when the hybrid content was 0.5 wt %. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 47173.