Improvement in Mechanical and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Carbon fibre/Epoxy Composites Using Carboxyl Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Issue 8 (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salam, M.B.A.; Hosur, M.V.; Jahan, N.; Rahman, M.M.; Jeelani, S.
• Is Part Of: Polymers and polymer composites. Volume 21:Issue 8(2013)
• Page Start: 495
• Page End: 508
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes -- Functionalization -- Mechanical properties -- Dynamic mechanical analysis; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.905
• DOI: 10.1177/096739111302100803
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-3911

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to optimize mechanical and thermal performances of carbon fibre/epoxy composites modified with functionalized carbon nanotubes. For fabricating carbon fibre/epoxy nanocomposites, 0.1-0.4 wt.% carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) were incorporated in an epoxy system. Laminates were cured at a temperature of 65.55 °C. The effects of MWCNT on flexural, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), tensile and thermo-mechanical properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites were studied. The results obtained from flexural, ILSS, tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of carbon fibre/epoxy demonstrated a linearly increasing trend in properties up to 0.3 wt.% MWCNT loading. Results obtained from the thermal mechanical analysis showed a linearly decreasing trend in coefficient of thermal expansion up to 0.3 wt.% MWCNT loading. The properties were lower at 0.4 wt.%, due to agglomeration that may have resulted in poor wetting of the carbon fibres.