Multiwall carbon nanotube/epoxy composites produced by a masterbatch process

Journal
Mechanics of composite materials  
Volume
42
Issue
5
Start Page
395
End Page
406
Citation
Mechanics of Composite Materials 42 (5): 395-406 (2006-09)
Publisher DOI
10.1007/s11029-006-0050-3
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-33751534954
A masterbatch process based on a minicalander (three-roller mill) and a vacuum dissolver was developed in order to produce multiwall carbon nanotube/epoxy composites with loading fractions of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%. TEM and SEM analyses were performed to investigate the dispersion results. A contrast imaging in the SEM backscattering mode revealed a homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes in the whole volume of the material. Furthermore, an interesting correlation was found to exist between the network structure formed by the nanotubes in the epoxy matrix and the appearance of fracture surface of the nanocomposites. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibited an electrical conductivity in the regime of some 10-2 S/m.
Subjects
Carbon nanotubes
Electrical conductivity
Epoxy matrix
Fracture toughness
Nanocomposites
Production