Carbon Nanotube Filled Composite Material Analysis Utilizing Nano and Conventional Testing Techniques

Abstract

The use of carbon nanotube particle filled composite materials is gaining much attention across many industries, including the printing industry. While applications of such materials are being sought, development and testing of materials is underway. Characterization of the material's properties using current techniques coupled with nano testing may be of great interest in understanding the physical properties of these materials. In general, carbon nanotube particle applications for Non-Impact Printing may include charge/developer rolls and belts, and fusing system rolls and belts. The physical properties that nano particles impart to a material may significantly enhance materials over and above those currently using conventional additives to a base polymer. Of interest to non-impact printing material science are physical properties such as surface energy, electrical resistivity, thermal diffusivity, abrasion resistance, and compressive modulus. These material properties, and others, can be modified by the addition of nano particles additives to a base polymer. The resultant properties of the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a base polymer is presented using conventional and nano testing methodologies.In this study, conventional methods of physical properties testing (hardness / compression set / static-stress relaxation, electrical resistivity), are conducted along with DMA, nanoDMA™, nanoindentation and nanoECR™ (electrical contact resistance) methods. Correlations of nano testing with conventional static physical properties testing have been presented in previous studies by the authors. Correlation of DMA and nanoDMA™ test methodologies of nano composite materials is novel, as well as the application of nanoECR™ testing of carbon nanotube filled materials.