Graphene Nanoplatelet Filtration in Aerospace-Grade Resin Infused Carbon/Epoxy Composites: An Integrated Nanoindentation–SEM–Raman Assessment

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Abstract
The aerospace sector's transition from pre-impregnated fabric and autoclave cure toward the resin infusion of dry non-crimp fabric requires that any nano-modification of the matrix remain compatible with the infusion process and, critically, resist filtration by the fabric. This study reports the characterisation, dispersion and manufacturing behaviour of an oxygen-functionalised graphene nanoplatelet in an aerospace-grade low-viscosity epoxy. SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy characterised the as-supplied particulate as a flake-like, bottom-up graphene-based material. The platelet was dispersed at 0.5 wt.% by three-roll milling, with dynamic light scattering of the dispersed system giving a volume-average size (Dv50) of 1.4 μm and a number-average of approximately 50 nm. Representative 2 mm and 4 mm non-crimp carbon-fibre panels were produced by an industry-standard resin-infusion process. Non-destructive testing, thickness and fibre-volume mapping, and optical microscopy were used to assess panel quality and consolidation. A dedicated filtration investigation combining nanoindentation, SEM and Raman spectroscopy compared the resin inlet and outlet lines. No detectable evidence of substantial inlet-to-outlet GNP filtration was observed using the three complementary techniques under the investigated conditions. The work introduces a three-technique protocol for assessing nanoparticle filtration in an opaque carbon-fibre composite system.

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