Comprehensive study of effects of filler length on mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyamide 6 composites. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jang, Han Gyeol; Yang, Beomjoo; Khil, Myung-Seob; Kim, Seong Yun; Kim, Jaewoo
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 125(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) -- B. Mechanical properties -- B. Thermal properties -- B. Electrical property; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2019.105542
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: In spite of active studies on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-incorporated polymer, MWCNTs of different thickness and lengths have been employed. Here, the effects of MWCNT morphology, specifically its length, on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of MWCNT/polymer composites were examined in comparison with theoretical modeling. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography observations revealed that short MWCNTs were dispersed more uniformly than long MWCNTs in a polyamide 6 (PA6) polymer. Correlation of this result with the tensile performance revealed that at low MWCNT concentrations the long-MWCNT/PA6 composite showed superior tensile properties since the effect of length was dominant. However, at high MWCNT concentrations, the short-MWCNT/PA6 showed superior tensile properties to the long-MWCNT/PA6 due to the better dispersion of the former. The thermal conductivity gradually improved with increasing MWCNT concentration, showing larger improvement for the long-MWCNT/PA6, while the electrical conductivity reached percolation threshold at 1 wt% for both MWCNTs.