Epoxy-carbon nanotubes as matrix in glass fiber reinforced laminated composites

Abstract

A manufacturing process using vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding was used to produce glass fiber-reinforced laminates with the epoxy matrix and with the 0.5 weight % NH2 functionalized-MWCNT based epoxy matrix. Images obtained from the TEM and SEM indicates that MWCNTs are well dispersed into the epoxy matrix. Microstructures observations of the composites from SEM show the better interaction between CNTs and epoxy. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical behavior of the glass fiber-epoxy system and glass fiber-CNT/epoxy system was characterized through flexural test and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).