Multi-component nanocomposites of epoxy/silsesquioxane reinforced with carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes processed by resin transfer molding

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this work, an epoxy resin modified by silsesquioxane oligomers was used to produce multi-component nanocomposites reinforced with carbon fiber (CF) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) by resin transfer molding (RTM). The combination of sonication process with the incorporation of silsesquioxane domains (i.e. increasing the degree of crosslinking of the epoxy matrix), improved the mechanical strength of the hybrid matrix and hybrid/CF/CNT nanocomposites. The multi-component nanocomposites produced by RTM presented Young modulus of 35 ± 8 GPa, tensile strength of 303 ± 41 MPa and impact strength of 1.0 ± 0.3 kJ m−1. The results showed a significant increase in the tensile strength and impact resistance of the epoxy matrix by the incorporation of silsesquioxanes and sonication before curing of the matrices, showing the promising potential of this multi-component nanocomposite for pipelines and other structural applications.