Experimental investigations of the effect of graphene reinforcement on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin

Abstract

Graphene's extraordinary characteristics have sparked tremendous scientific and economic interest. It has undergone substantial research as a reinforcement in Nano composite materials, and it is regarded as a critical filler due to its remarkable mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Meanwhile, epoxy resin is extensively employed in various applications, including Bonded laminates, protective coatings, and composite compounds, owing to its ease with which it can be processed, high bonding strength to a variety of surfaces, and chemical stability. The performance of the composite is heavily controlled by the spatial distribution and interactions of graphene nanoparticles within the polymer matrix. Various methods exist for incorporating graphene into graphene-reinforced composites, one of which involves uniformly dispersing it within the polymer matrix.

This work devised an approach for achieving excellent dispersion of amine-functionalized graphene (AFG) across various steps. Tensile strength tests were used to assess the influence of different AFG concentrations (wt.%), and shattered surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Findings from the tensile tests demonstrated a substantial advancement in both tensile strength and Young's modulus, with increases of 24.88 % and 31 %, respectively, at a 0.1 wt fraction. Concentration of AFG compared to pure epoxy. However, when the concentration of AFG grew, tensile strength fell, although Young's Modulus rose initially before declining, showing a nonlinear trend in modulus behavior.