OPTIMIZATION OF NANO FILLERS CONTENT TO FABRICATE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CARBON FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER FOR SPACE USE

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are used in aerospace sector due to their high specific stiffness and light weight, and are a better alternative for aluminum, Invar, and Kovar alloys. However, lower electrical and thermal conductivity of CFRP was the main restriction for extensive use in aerospace sector as compared to aluminum alloys. High aspect ratio, high mechanical stability, high electrical as well as thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) makes them excellent filler material in CFRP to enhance its electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. CNTs add synergetic effect to CFRP giving improved CNT-CFRP composites in terms of electrical and mechanical properties. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are used as filler for fabricating conductive CFRP. Selection of type of CNT (SW/MW-CNT), percentage of CNTs to be used as filler, extent of dispersion in thermosetting resin and carbon fiber layers, governs the properties of CNT-CFRP composites. Objective of the current study was to find optimum percentage of SWCNT and MWCNT to get highly electrically conductive CNT-CFRP composites with ease of manufacturing.