An experimental investigation on low-cycle fatigue behavior of GO-NH2-reinforced epoxy adhesive

Abstract

In this study, the effect of adding functionalized aminated graphene oxide up to 0.3 wt% was experimentally investigated on the mechanical properties and fatigue behavior of an epoxy adhesive with intermediate toughness. Accordingly, graphene oxide was prepared by a modified Hummers method and was modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane silane agent. Bulk samples were then prepared from neat and reinforced adhesive with different weight amounts of aminated graphene oxide. Dumbbell-shaped samples with a notch were used to limit displacement at break. The results showed the presence of 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt% aminated graphene oxide nanoplatelets, as optimum weight percentages respectively for the mechanical properties and the fatigue life, improves the modulus of elasticity by 35% and the tensile strength by 44% as well as the fatigue life by about 72–241% under different cyclic loading conditions.