Fracture resistance, thermal and electrical properties of epoxy composites containing aligned carbon nanotubes by low magnetic field. (19th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Chuanguo; Liu, Hong-Yuan; Du, Xusheng; Mach, Longtin; Xu, Feng; Mai, Yiu-Wing
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 114(2015)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2015-06-19
• Subjects: A. Carbon nanotubes -- A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) -- B. Fracture toughness -- B. Thermal properties -- B. Electrical properties; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2015.04.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: The alignment of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with residual catalyst Ni particles in epoxy resin (EP) was achieved under a low magnetic field of 0.4 T. EP composites containing different loading of CNTs were prepared at 60 °C based on the rheology results of CNT/EP suspensions. The effects of CNT loading and magnetic field on the fracture toughness ( KIC ), glass transition temperature ( Tg ) and electrical properties of the composites were studied. The obtained results showed significant enhancements in KIC, independent of the orientation of the CNTs, compared to neat epoxy. The maximum increase (∼51%) was achieved by composites with 3 wt.% aligned CNTs transverse to crack growth. Additionally, composites with magnetically aligned CNTs displayed anisotropy in KIC . Compared to CNT/EP composites with no applied magnetic field, the KIC increase was less effective at high CNT loading. Finally, toughening mechanisms, Tg and electrical conductivity results were discussed.