Possibility of Increasing the Mechanical Strength of Carbon/Epoxy Composites by Addition of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The development of nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites is presently seen as one of the most promising approaches in the field of future engineering applications. The unique properties of at least some of these nanoparticles (e.g., CNTs or carbon black) and the possibility of combining them with conventional reinforcements (e.g., carbon-, glass-or aramid-fibers) has led to an intense research in the field of nanocomposites. This study presents mechanical properties of two carbon composites made from bisphenol A epoxy resin (E) and 3 layers of 160 g/m 2 carbon cloth with twill (TC) and plain (PC) weave as a reference and three-composite system that consists from carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix and 1% of multi-wall carbon nanotubes dispersed in epoxy resin. Used hardener H507 was based on cycloaliphatic polyamine with absence of nonylphenol. Samples were also tempered at 80 oC (for 12hours) for improvement of their thermal resistance.