The Effect of Curing Cycle on the Mechanical Properties of MWNT/Epoxy Nanocomposite

Abstract

Along with carbon nanotube (CNT) morphology, impurity, and fuctionalization, polymer curing cycle is another important factor in determining the mechanical properties of CNT/polymer composite samples. Nanocomposite samples were prepared by mixing multiwall carbon nanotubes with epoxy resin. The main objective is the investigation of the effects of four curing cycles on the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the conductive filler in the composite and the development of new nanocomposite materials based on epoxy resins with controlled structural and mechanical properties. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the resulting composite samples were evaluated by performing tensile and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) test. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of pure epoxy and composite samples have been affected by the conditions of the curing process. It seems that the effect of the reinforcement is more evident for a less cured resin.