Hierarchical carbon fibre composites incorporating high loadings of carbon nanotubes
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Yousefi, Neptun
Fisher, Sandra J
Burgstaller, Christoph
Shaffer, Milo SP
Bismarck, Alexander
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Uncured solid bisphenol-A epoxy resins containing up to 20 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared using
melt blending in a high shear mixer. The extrudate was ground to produce fine nanocomposite (NC) powders.
This simple method produced well-dispersed NC, with CNT agglomerate sizes below 1 μm. Consolidated NCs
displayed improved tensile moduli and strengths up to 3.3 GPa (+32%) and 78 MPa (+19%), respectively at 15
wt% CNT, compared to the pure cured epoxy matrix. The relatively high Tg of 39 ◦C for the uncured NC powders
simplified the manufacture of composite prepregs using wet powder impregnation. The prepregs were laminated
into hierarchical carbon fibre reinforced composites with improved through-thickness properties. Interlaminar
shear strength improved for intermediate CNT loadings in the matrix up to 65 MPa (10 wt% CNT, +19%) but
decreased at higher concentrations. Compression moduli remained constant irrespectively of CNT loading but
compression strength increased with a CNT loading of 2.5 wt% to 772 MPa (+31%). The mechanical properties
of the hierarchical composites reflect good consolidation (void content <3%) and excellent fibre alignment
(<±0.8◦). In addition to the improved mechanical properties, incorporation of CNTs improved the through-
thickness electrical conductivity up to 115 S/m
melt blending in a high shear mixer. The extrudate was ground to produce fine nanocomposite (NC) powders.
This simple method produced well-dispersed NC, with CNT agglomerate sizes below 1 μm. Consolidated NCs
displayed improved tensile moduli and strengths up to 3.3 GPa (+32%) and 78 MPa (+19%), respectively at 15
wt% CNT, compared to the pure cured epoxy matrix. The relatively high Tg of 39 ◦C for the uncured NC powders
simplified the manufacture of composite prepregs using wet powder impregnation. The prepregs were laminated
into hierarchical carbon fibre reinforced composites with improved through-thickness properties. Interlaminar
shear strength improved for intermediate CNT loadings in the matrix up to 65 MPa (10 wt% CNT, +19%) but
decreased at higher concentrations. Compression moduli remained constant irrespectively of CNT loading but
compression strength increased with a CNT loading of 2.5 wt% to 772 MPa (+31%). The mechanical properties
of the hierarchical composites reflect good consolidation (void content <3%) and excellent fibre alignment
(<±0.8◦). In addition to the improved mechanical properties, incorporation of CNTs improved the through-
thickness electrical conductivity up to 115 S/m
Date Issued
2022-05-03
Date Acceptance
2022-02-26
Citation
Composites Science and Technology, 2022, 222
ISSN
0266-3538
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Composites Science and Technology
Volume
222
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Identifier
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Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Materials Science, Composites
Materials Science
Carbon nanotubes
Carbon fibres
Mechanical properties
Powder processing
MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
COPPER-OXIDE
EPOXY-RESIN
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOPARTICLES
DISPERSION
ROUTE
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 109369