Influence of GNP nanoparticles on shear and dynamic behaviour of flat-joggle-flat composite joints

Abstract

The focus of the current research is to examine the effects of adding graphene nanoparticles (GNP) to GFRP flat-joggle-flat (FJF) composite joints made with the co-cure manufacturing process on their mechanical and vibrational properties. The experimental results show that adding 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 wt% GNP reinforcement to the resin greatly improved the strength properties of composite joints by 8.30%, 26.37%, and 34.73%, respectively. However, a higher percentage of GNPs (1%) reduced the strength of joints by 3.90% due to agglomeration. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveals that 0.75 wt% of GNP reinforced enhanced interfacial interaction and created coarser interfaces in the bond line to postpone failure. Cutting-edge internal failure and damage progression modes are incorporated by the ultrasonic C-scan method. The modal analysis confirmed that the 0.75 wt% GNP reinforcement had the maximum fundamental natural frequency of 918.1 Hz compared to other weight percentages. The obtained experimental results and used methods are in good agreement.