Carbon nanotube/epoxy composites fabricated by resin transfer molding

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 260 - 266
• Main Authors: Cheng, Q.F., Wang, J.P., Wen, J.J., Liu, C.H., Jiang, K.L., Li, Q.Q., Fan, S.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Materials science; Physics; Specific materials; Young modulus; Electrical conductivity; Composite materials; Electrical properties; Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Resins
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2009.09.014

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/epoxy composites with controllable alignment of CNTs were fabricated by a resin transfer molding process. CNTs with loading up to 16.5
wt.% were homogenously dispersed and highly aligned in the epoxy matrix. Both mechanical and electrical properties of the CNT/epoxy composites were dramatically improved with the addition of the CNTs. The Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the composites reach 20.4
GPa and 231.5
MPa, corresponding to 716% and 160% improvement compared to pure epoxy. The electrical conductivity of the composites along the direction of the CNT alignment reaches over 1
×
10
4
S/m.