The influence of hygrothermal ageing on creep behavior of nanocomposite adhesive joints containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide nanoplatelets

Abstract The effect of hygrothermal ageing on the creep behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene oxide nanoplatelet (GONP)-reinforced adhesive joints was investigated. The neat, MWCNT and GONP-reinforced adhesive single lap joints were manufactured and immersed in hot deionized water with three different temperatures for 24 h and then tested under creep loading. The results showed that the elastic and creep shear strain values of the neat adhesive joints increased by 14% and 25%, respectively, when the water temperature was increased from 30 to 50 °C. It was found out that 0.1 wt% MWCNTs had the maximum reinforcing effect against the creep behavior of adhesive joints pre-aged in hot water by 56% and 33% reductions in the elastic and creep strain values of the nanocomposite adhesive joints compared to the neat adhesive joints. Whereas, GONPs caused the maximum reductions of 45% and 20% in the elastic and creep strains of the nanocomposite adhesive joints compared to the neat joints. Furthermore, the Burgers rheological model was employed for simulating the creep response of adhesive joints. Semi-empirical models were proposed for the elastic and creep strains and the Burgers model parameters as functions of the water temperature and MWCNT/GONP weight percentage using the response surface methodology.