Fabrication and Nanocompression Testing of Aligned Carbon‐Nanotube–Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The reinforcement of fiber–polymer composites with arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported. Nanocomposite features containing vertically aligned CNTs and a commercially available polymer are fabricated and mechanically characterized with a direct nanocompression method using a flat punch mounted on a nanoindenter (see figure). The results show a reinforcement of 220 % at a CNT volume fraction of 2 %. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2007/c0237_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.