Experimental assessment of the mechanical performance of graphene nanoplatelets coated polymers

Abstract

This study presents the effect of spray-coated graphene nanoplatelets on the mechanical response of various polymers to cyclic loadings. The substrates material (three polymers) and the coating (various numbers of coating layers) are assessed. The experimental results suggest that the compressive stiffness, compressive modulus, damping and energy dissipation of the samples coated with graphene nanoplatelets improve with respect to the uncoated samples. The outcomes of this experimental research highlight the feasibility of utilising films of graphene nanoplatelets to improve the mechanical properties of polymers for vibration isolation, foreseeing application in various environments for instance in buildings and infrastructures (bridges, railways) for seismic and acoustic isolation.