Effect of Mechanical Properties on Carbon Nanotubes, Nanoclays Reinforced Epoxy Carbon Fabric Composite Pipes

Abstract

Generally, the nanofillers increase the mechanical and impact behaviors of fiber reinforced polymer based composites. However, the effects of the hybridization of nanofillers and their reasons over the nano scale damage mechanisms have not been adequately studied for fabric reinforced composites. The low velocity impact responses and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, nanoclays particles reinforced epoxy carbon fabric composite pipes have been evaluated in this study. Carbon fabric composite pipes have been prepared with 1 ,and 3 wt % of carbon nanotube and 1,and 3 wt% of nanoclay particles and unfilled nanofillers, using hand lay-up technique. Mechanical properties of low velocity impact for carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), nanoclays particles reinforced epoxy carbon fabric composite pipes have been obtained as a function of content of nanofillers particles. The low-velocity impact tests applied on composite pipes for energy levels 5 J,10 J, and 15 J according to in accordance with ASTM D7136 / D7136 M-12 standards. It was observed that carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and nanoclay nanofillers addition to Carbon Fabric/Epoxy for 5J, 10 J and 15 J showed maximum force, absorbed energy and the lowest displacements and rebound energy. MWCNTs and nanoclays nano-hybrid addition to Carbon Fabric/Epoxy improved higher low velocity impact responses than none nanofillers addition. The specimens of unfilled nanofillers Carbon Fabric/Epoxy composites showed the lowest maximum force , highest displacements and rebound energy. The results show that the mechanical properties are found to increase substantially with increasing carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and nanoclays particles with Carbon Fabric/Epoxy composite pipes.