Nanocomposite Creep: Control of Epoxy Creep Using Graphene (Small 11/2012)

Creep in graphene platelet–epoxy nanocomposites is significantly slowed down relative to the unfilled epoxy case. This effect is observed primarily at elevated temperatures and when the material is subjected to higher stress. Carbon nanotube–epoxy composites prepared under similar conditions do not exhibit this phenomenon. Fracture surfaces of graphene platelet–epoxy samples, shown here, indicate that graphene flakes also retard the propagation of cracks, while fiber-like ligaments form during the separation process linking the two crack faces and enhancing the material toughness.