Enhanced mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites by incorporating XD-grade carbon nanotube

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (CFEC) were fabricated infusing 0–0.40 wt% XD-grade carbon nanotube (XD-CNT) using the compression molding process under 16 kips. XD-CNTs were infused into Epon 862 resin using a mechanical stirrer followed by a high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor. The mixture was then placed in a three-roll milling processor for three successive cycles at 140 rpm. Epikure W curing agent was added to the modified resin and mixed using a high-speed mechanical stirrer. Flexural and tensile properties obtained from the flexural and tensile tests were higher in all nanophased composites compared to those of the conventional one. However, samples with 0.3 wt% CNT loading demonstrated the maximum improvement by 27% and 14% in flexural strength and modulus and 19% and 10% in tensile strength and modulus, respectively. Fracture morphology studied by both scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy revealed better interfacial bonding in the CNT-loaded CFEC.