Nanoparticles in Glass Fiber‐Reinforced Polyester Composites: Comparing Toughening Effects of Modified Graphene Oxide and Core‐Shell Rubber

The role of nanoparticles in the fracture toughness of glass fiber‐reinforced polyester composites (GFRPs) was investigated. An unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and a vinyl ester resin (VER) were toughened by two distinct methods: (1) incorporating a very low loading (0.04 wt%) of alkyl or vinyl modified graphene oxide (mGO); or (2) adding core‐shell rubber (CSR, 1 and 5 wt%). For unreinforced resins, results from compact tension tests revealed...