Micro-crack behavior of carbon fiber reinforced Fe3O4/graphene oxide modified epoxy composites for cryogenic application

The epoxy nanocomposites with Fe3O4 modified graphene oxide (Fe3O4/GO) were used to influence the micro-cracks resistance of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) laminate at 77 K. Fe3O4/GO with good paramagnetic properties were prepared by co-precipitation method and used to modify epoxy for cryogenic applications. Fe3O4/GO modified CF/EP laminates were also prepared through vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The results show that the Fe3O4/GO can effectively improve the mechanical properties of epoxy (EP) matrix at 77 K and reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of EP matrix. It also can obviously improve the micro-cracks resistance of CF/EP composites at 77 K. Compared to neat EP, the CTE of Fe3O4/GO modified EP composite is decreased 51.6%. Compared to CF/EP composite, the micro-cracks density of Fe3O4/GO modified CF/EP composite at 77 K is decreased 60.0%.