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Published in

SAGE Publications, Journal of Composite Materials, 7(49), p. 759-770, 2014

DOI: 10.1177/0021998314525977

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Enhanced tensile performance of epoxy and E-glass/epoxy composites by randomly-oriented amino-functionalized MWCNTs at low contents

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Effect of amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NH2-MWCNTs) on the tensile performance of epoxy and E-glass/epoxy composites was investigated. Low weight percentages (0.3 and 0.4 wt%) of NH2-MWCNTs were dispersed into a DGEBA epoxy resin using combination of sonication and three-roll milling methods. Composites with plain weave E-glass fabrics were fabricated by compression molding process. Tensile test results showed a significant enhancement in strength, modulus and toughness of epoxy and E-glass/epoxy composites at 0.3 wt% loading of NH2-MWCNTs. Micrographs of NH2-MWCNTs-incorporated epoxy and E-glass/epoxy composites revealed better dispersion of nanotubes in epoxy, better bonding between nanotubes and polymer and improved interfacial adhesion between fiber/matrix at 0.3 wt% loading. Micromechanical models were used to predict the tensile properties and compared with the experimental results. An improved dispersion and hence an enhanced crosslink interaction between NH2-MWCNTs and epoxy lead to the improvements in the tensile properties of the epoxy nanocomposites close to predicted values at 0.3 wt% loading. A similar rationale applies for the increase in properties of E-glass/epoxy nanocomposites.