Influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on mode I fracture toughness of an epoxy adhesive under thermal fatigue

The contribution of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for enhancing the fracture toughness of a commonly used room-cured epoxy, used to bond E-glass/epoxy composite adherends, is evaluated. A comprehensive experimental investigation is conducted to examine the performance and degradation of adhesively bonded joints subject to cyclic thermal loading using the standard double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens. Several groups of DCB specimens were...