Investigation of the structural effects of graphene-reinforced three-phase composites used in aviation

The aerospace industry has been at the forefront of innovations in materials science due to the need to develop high-performance and lightweight materials. The critical properties of materials used in aircraft design, such as lightness, durability, and mechanical performance, are of great importance, especially in components under stress, such as landing gear. In this context, the use of composite materials has been revolutionary in the industry. Three-phase composite materials, composed of a matrix, reinforcement, and filler material, are preferred in high-performance fields such as aerospace. This study conducted a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation into the use of graphene-reinforced three-phase composite fabrics in aircraft landing gear. Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial known for its exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. In this study, the mechanical properties, tensile strength, fracture behavior, and overall performance of composite materials were examined by adding graphene to an epoxy matrix at weight ratios of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.35%, and 1%. The findings showed that graphene at low concentrations (0.1%) significantly improved the mechanical performance of the composite material. Samples containing 0.1% graphene exhibited a high tensile strength of 592 MPa. However, at higher graphene concentrations (0.2%, 0.35%, 1%), performance decreased due to distribution issues, highlighting the critical role of uniform graphene dispersion in material performance. The study also incorporates the results of finite element analysis conducted using ANSYS software. ANSYS results were compared with MATLAB-based micromechanical calculations and physical test data, showing a high level of agreement (error rate <10%). These findings demonstrate that graphene can be effectively investigated not only through experimental methods but also through numerical simulations. The results confirm the potential of graphene reinforcement for use in high-strength components such as aircraft landing gear. However, overcoming distribution issues at high concentrations and addressing processing challenges are essential. These findings provide significant insights into the use of graphene and other nanomaterials in the development of future aerospace materials. Future research should focus on new methods and processing techniques to improve the homogeneous distribution of graphene and optimize validation processes through numerical methods.