Small percentage reinforcement of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in epoxy(bisphenol-A) for enhanced mechanical performance

Abstract

Epoxies, in its various forms, find wider applications in the field of automobile, aircrafts, marine and other structures. The recent development of carbon based nano particles like carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as reinforcement, has increased the scope to enhance mechanical properties of epoxy based composites. The present report is an attempt to understand the effects of very small percentage reinforcement of CNTs (i.e. 0.25 wt%) in epoxy on mechanical properties of nanocomposite. The solution mixing method was used to synthesize the nanocomposite. The CNTs were dispersed in a solvent using the probe sonicator. After complete dispersion of the CNTs, the epoxy was added under constant stirring condition. To cure the epoxy, amine based curing agent was used at room temperature for 24 h. Post curing was done for 2 h at 80 °C. The samples were prepared in aluminum moulds. Morphology of nanocomposite was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties of nanocomposites were characterized using nano indentation technique. Even at small reinforcement of 0.25%wt. of CNTs, epoxy-CNTs composite shown an 36% increase in Modulus and 16% percentage increase in hardness values compared to pristine epoxy composite. Present results supplemented the research data and reports favorable enhancement in mechanical properties even at small CNTs reinforcement.