Improving the fracture toughness properties of epoxy using graphene nanoplatelets at low filler content. Issue 3 (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Domun, Nadiim; Hadavinia, Homayoun; Zhang, Tao; Liaghat, Gholamhossein; Vahid, Samireh; Spacie, Chris; Paton, Keith R.; Sainsbury, Toby
• Is Part Of: Nanocomposites. Volume 3:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Epoxy -- Graphene -- Nanocomposite -- Toughening -- Mechanical properties -- Fracture toughness; Nanocomposites (Materials) -- Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1080/20550324.2017.1365414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-0324

Abstract

Abstract: This paper reports improvement in the fracture properties of epoxy nanocomposites using plasma functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (f-GNP) at low filler content. Various mechanical tests were performed on a series of f-GNP/epoxy at low nanofiller loading to assess the effect of the nanofiller on mechanical properties. Most importantly, a significant enhancement in fracture toughness is achieved without compromising the tensile and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. The fracture toughness of neat epoxy resin was increased by over 50% with the incorporation of 0.25 wt% f-GNP loading, obtaining a value of 245 J m −2, while the neat epoxy indicated a value of 162 J m −2 . The glass transition temperature ( T g ) and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) both showed a slight increase of 3% and 2%, respectively, both at 1 wt% f-GNP loading. These enhancements are competitive with current literature results on nanocomposites, but at significantly lower filler content. We therefore demonstrate that f-GNPs are capable of providing effective toughening of epoxy resins, while maintaining other tensile and thermal properties. Abstract :