Enhancing shear strength of single lap composite adhesive joint with graphene nano-particles and Z-pins reinforcement through co-curing technique

Abstract

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) co-cured (CC) single lap joint (SLJ) adhesive specimens with varying weight percentages (wt%) of graphene nanoparticles (GNP) and different volume percentages (vol%) of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)Z-Pin went through a shear test, and the results showed that 0.75 wt% GNP and 2.5 vol% 90°/Z-Pin reinforced specimens exhibited higher shear strength. Optimised GNP% and vol% of Z-Pin applied to SLJ showed high shear strength. The study was further compared with SLJ incorporating 0.75 wt% GNP with a 45°/Z-Pin specimen, and the results showed that the optimised 0.75 GNP% and 2.5 vol% 90°/Z-Pin SLJ specimen showed higher shear strength. After testing, microscopic images of the fractured specimen surface were taken to examine the failures. Fractography shows that adding GNP and Z pin to SLJ roughens surfaces, improving adhesive-adherent interaction.