Carbon Nanotubes to Improve Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Matrix Composites

1
Carbon Nanotubes to Improve Mechanical Properties
of Epoxy Matrix Composites

• Eliza Montgomery
• The Pennsylvania State University
• Physics and Applications of Nanoscale 1D Systems
• Dr. Slava Rotkin Lehigh University

2
CNT in Epoxy Matrix

• Replace current carbon fiber and carbon black
  reinforcement materials
• Increase mechanical properties
• Enhance electrical and thermal properties
• Proposed as a damage-sensing component
• will not be addressed in this presentation

3
Objectives

• Compare tensile properties of different carbon
  reinforcement materials for epoxy-based
  composites single, double, and multi-wall
  nanotubes with and without functionalisation to
  carbon black
• Address dispersion issues of carbon material in
  epoxy related to tensile properties

4
Methods of Dispersion in Epoxy Matrix

• Sonification-poses problems due to extreme
  vibration
• Calandering method used to achieve dispersion
  after stirring

5
Why Functionalize?

• Interfacial adhesion between CNT and matrix
  polymer.
• Improves interfacial stress transfer and
  dispersion of CNT in matrix
• Specifically CNT is amino-functionalised to
  enable covalent bonding between CNT and epoxy.
• Relation of amino-groups to the number of surface
  carbon atoms of the CNT is 1/100.

6
Mechanical Properties

• Strength
• Stiffness
• Fracture toughness

• DWNT chosen best improving mechanical strength
  overall

FH Gojny, MHG Wichmann, B Fiedler, K Schulte,
Composites Science and Technology 65 (2005)
2300-2313
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Highlights for DWCNT in Epoxy Matrix

• Stress vs. strain functionalized performed best
• SEM micrographs of
• fracture surfaces

FH Gojny, MHG Wichmann, B Fiedler, K Schulte,
Composites Science and Technology 65 (2005)
2300-2313
8
Conclusions

• Dispersion difficult with larger SSA (all CNTs).
  
• Functionalism improved dispersion of CNTs in
  epoxy matrix for all cases.
• Addition of DWNT with 0.5 filler increased
  mechanical properties best 10 strength, 15
  stiffness, and 43 fracture toughness.

9
Thank youQuestions?

• Presentation primarily based on works by Gojny et
  al, 2003-2005