Monolithic epoxy, because of its brittleness, cannot prevent crack propagation and is vulnerable to fracture. However, it is well established that when reinforced-especially by nano-fillers, such as metallic oxides, clays, carbon nanotubes, and other carbonaceous materials-its ability to withstand crack propagation is propitiously improved. Among various nano-fillers, graphene has recently been employed as reinforcement in epoxy to enhance the fracture related properties of the produced epoxy-graphene nanocomposites. In this review, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of graphene reinforced epoxy nanocomposites will be correlated with the topographical features, morphology, weight fraction, dispersion state, and surface functionalization of graphene. The factors in which contrasting results were reported in the literature are highlighted, such as the influence of graphene on the mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. Furthermore, the challenges to achieving the desired performance of polymer nanocomposites are also suggested throughout the article.

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The advancement of polymer nano-composites has been motivated by the need for materials with a specific combination of mechanical properties beyond those achieved from only one material.Integration of reinforcement into polymers at the nanoscale can provide a significant increase in numerous physical and mechanical properties of polymer nano-composites. However, in applications where contact with liquid media is unavoidable, the mechanical properties of polymer nano-composites suffer degradation which is a commonly observed phenomenon. Non aggressive liquid such as water is capable of lowering the mechanical properties of polymer nano-composites by acting as plasticizers while moderate and severe aggressive liquid when combined with residual stresses can cause unexpected brittle failure known as ESC. To date, only a few studies are reported discussing the ability of nano-fillers to resist degradation of mechanical properties in polymer nano-composites when exposed to liquid media. In this review, various factors responsible for mechanical property degradation caused by liquid media in polymer nano-composites and their remedies are studied.

Comparison of cutting mechanism when machining micro and nano-particles reinforc...

The mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites can be significantly altered by tailoring the morphological features of carbonaceous fillers.