Recent Trends in the Manufacturing of Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Epoxy Nanocomposites as Advanced Functional Material

Graphene material has taken center stage in the current decade and has become a new subject of investigation, growth, and commercialization in the manufacturing sector due to enhanced properties. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is a derivative of the graphene family. It significantly improves the electrical and mechanical properties when added in small proportions into polymer matrices. It is used as an advanced functional nanocomposite in aircrafts, sensors, battery applications, energy devices, automotive components, etc. Carbon fiber–reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) that exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, such as good tensile and compressive strength, high fatigue resistivity, and better Young's modulus are mostly exploited in several structural functions. They are especially used in the aerospace industry because they are high performing, light weight, and environmentally friendly. However, machining CFRPs often cause damage like high tool wear, cracks, matrix debonding, and fiber pull-out and entail the risk of composite delamination. However, the most severe damage is delamination, which may be responsible for the rejection of 60% of the parts manufactured in aircraft trade. Therefore, this chapter aims to discuss the manufacturing challenges and the progress made in effecting improvements related to the machinability aspect of carbon/polymer nanocomposites. Also, this work explains the mechanics behind machining induced damage like delamination, cracks, matrix smearing, etc., and the development of various mathematical models to minimize these defects during machining.