Reinforcing Microwave Absorption Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube–Epoxy Composites Using Glass Fibers for Multifunctional Applications

Abstract

Herein, the enhancement of the mechanical properties of microwave absorption composites, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–epoxy with various MWCNT loadings, using glass fiber (GF) reinforcement is focused upon. The tensile strength, morphologies, dielectric permittivity, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties (in a frequency range from 1 to 26 GHz) of the composites are investigated. The tensile strength of the composites is enhanced to about 400 MPa, which is comparable with that of commercial aluminum alloy 6061 (about 300 MPa), whereas the tensile strength of the pristine MWCNT–epoxy composite is around 15 MPa. The mass density of the MWCNT–epoxy–GF composites herein is found to be around 1.6 g cm−3, whereas aluminum alloy 6061 has a mass density of ≈2.7 g cm−3. In addition, the MWCNT (9 wt%)–epoxy–GF composite presents a strong EM wave absorption in a wide frequency band from 14 to 26 GHz, whereas aluminum alloys do not have much EM wave absorption. The high microwave absorption together with the enhanced mechanical strength of the composites provides a multifunctional potential for some applications.