Abstract
Two methods are commonly used to disperse graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a polymer matrix system (PMS) - microcompounding and ultrasonication. In this work, GNPs-PMS nanocomposite specimens of different weight ratios were first produced using microcompounding. Results of tensile tests showed that, on introduction of 0.5 wt.% GNPs into the PMS, its ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased by 15% and the elastic modulus by 11%. Based on these results, 0.5 wt.% GNPs were also used in producing specimens by the ultrasonication technique, which showed a 69% drop in the UTS and a 227% increase in the elastic modulus. These findings demonstrate that the mechanical properties of GNPs-PMS nanocomposites are highly sensitive to their manufacturing method.