The Physical Nature of the Decrease in Viscosity of Polyester Resin during Nanomodification in Ultrasound

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical study of the mutual effect of carbon nanotubes and parameters of ultrasound, which is necessary for dispersion of nanotube agglomerates, on the viscosity of polyester resin is carried out. The results of viscosity measurements at varying time of ultrasonic treatment of resin and time of cooling are presented. The viscosity of resin at ultrasonic field with a power density of 20 and 80 W/cm2 is compared. It is experimentally determined that the introduction of carbon nanotubes into polyester resin decreases its viscosity, while the power density of ultrasound field formed by an ultrasonic disperser, affects the viscosity of polyester resin during its modification with carbon nanotubes. The suggested theoretical model of modification of polyester resin with carbon nanotubes explains the decrease in viscosity as a result of the change of the cluster structure of liquid and the dependence of this decrease in the power density of an ultrasound field via the degree of dispersion of agglomerates into individual nanotubes.