STUDIES ON CARBON FIBER MULTIWALLED NANOTUBE EPOXY HYBRID COMPOSITES

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to synthesize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique and to study the use of CNTs and carbon fibers as a reinforcing material to make CNTs/Carbon Fibers reinforced Epoxy hybrid composites for better structural and commercial applications. The objective of the project is to study the effect of both carbon nanotubes and chopped carbon fibers as filler materials on mechanical and electrical properties of the composite material This included characterization of CNTs and CNT/Carbon Fibers reinforced epoxy composites by techniques such as SEM, TGA and study of characteristic physical properties. During the course of project MWCNTs were synthesized by CVD process and used as a reinforcing material for the Epoxy. Carbon fiber and MWCNTs were also used as filler in different proportions to bring about the significant improvement in key physical properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon fibers based epoxy hybrid composites were developed using different percentage of MWCNTs and carbon fibers in epoxy matrix. The hybrid composites of size 70 mm x 12.7mm x 4.5 mm were developed by solvent casting method. Final cured specimens were tested for mechanical and electrical properties. Morphology study was also conducted by Scanning Electron Microscope. Significant improvement in mechanical properties were achieved in 2% MWCNTs and carbon fibers by wt.. Electrical Conductivity also increased considerably compared to neat epoxy. It is observed that effect of carbon nanotubes is more prominent in composite materials.