Mechanical reinforcement and shape memory effect of graphite nanoplatelet–reinforced epoxy composites

The homogeneous dispersion of fine graphite nanoplatelets throughout the epoxy matrix with different mass fraction is prepared. Influence of graphite nanoplatelets of varied mass fraction in the mechanical reinforcement and shape memory effect of graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composite is investigated. The morphology and crystal structure of graphite nanoplatelets are confirmed with the scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The shape memory effects and thermo-mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composite are studied using dynamic mechanical analysis. It is found that the storage elastic modulus increases with the mass fraction increase in graphite nanoplatelets in the graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composite, which is the indication of greater recovery stress of graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composite compared to that of the primitive epoxy material without graphite nanoplatelets. We had showed that the graphite nanoplatelets/epoxy composite is superior to primitive epoxy in shape memory effect and recovery speed.