Mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties of silane-treated graphite nanoplatelet/epoxy composites

Thermoset resins are widely used for composite applications due to their excellent mechanical properties. To further enhance their performance, nanofillers such as graphite nanoplatelets (GrNP) have been used, and extra improvement may arrive from surface treating these fillers. This study aims to evaluate the influence of GrNP content and treatment with (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane on curing behavior and mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of GrNP/epoxy composites. Composites reinforced with 0.25wt % GrNP displayed increased tensile strength by 11.8% compared to the neat resin. Addition of 0.5wt % GrNP increased the glass transition temperature in 10 degrees C compared to the neat polymer. Silane treated fillers showed an improvement in tensile strength and dynamic-mechanical properties compared to the neat resin and non-treated GrNP/epoxy composites at similar filler content. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46724.