This investigation experimentally examines the role of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the tension (on-axis tension test) and in-plane shear (off-axis tension test) behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. Both pristine and chemically functionalized MWCNTs were utilized with four different loadings: 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt% of epoxy. Our investigation showed that with 1.5 wt% functionalized MWCNTs, failure strain, ultimate strength, and toughness of the off-axis tension test are improved by 39%, 51%, and 121%, respectively. On the contrary, limited improvements were observed for the on-axis tested samples with functionalized or pristine MWCNTs.
American Concrete Institute, Committee-440. Guide for the design and construction of concrete reinforced with FRP rebars. In: ACI 440.1R-06. Farmington Hills, MI: ACI, 2006.
2.
HyerMW. Stress analysis of fiber-reinforced composite materials, 1 ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997, pp.349–357.
3.
KnopsM. Analysis of failure of fiber reinforced polymer laminates. New York: Springer, 2008, pp.2–12.
4.
KimJASeongDGKangTJYounJR. Effects of surface modification on rheological and mechanical properties of CNT/epoxy composites. Carbon2006; 44: 1898–1905.
5.
AdvaniSFanZ. Dispersion, bonding and orientation of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrices. In: AdvaniS (ed.) Processing and properties of nanocomposites. 2nd Ch. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd, 2007, pp.61–85.
6.
MaPCSiddiquiNAMaromGKimJK. Dispersion and functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer-based nanocomposites: A review. Compos Part A-Appl S2010; 41: 1345–1367.
7.
GanguliSBhuyanMAllieLAglanH. Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforcement on the fracture behavior of tetrafunctional epoxy. J Mater Sci2005; 40: 3593–3595.
8.
LuhrsCGarciaDTehraniMAl-HaikMReda TahaMMPhilipsJ. Generation of carbon nanofilaments on carbon fibers at 550°C. Carbon2009; 47: 3071–3078.
9.
DaiJSolimanESafdariMAl-HaikMReda TahaMM. Effect of carbon nanotube growth conditions on strength and stiffness of carbon and glass fiber polymer composites. In: Proceedings of 51st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/ AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference. Orlando, Florida, 12-15 April, 2010.
10.
GengYLiuMYLiJShiXMKimJK. Effects of surfactant treatment on mechanical and electrical properties of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Compos Part A-Appl S2008; 39: 1876–1883.
ZhuJPengHRodriguez-MaciasFMargraveJLKhabasheskuVNImamAM. Reinforcing epoxy polymer composites through covalent integration of functionalized nanotubes. Adv Funct Mater2004; 14: 643–648.
13.
SeoMKParkSJLeeSK. Influence of atomospheric plasma on physicochemical properties of vapor-grown graphite nanofibers. J Colloid Interface Sci2005; 285: 306–313.
14.
ShamMLKimJK. Surface functionalities of multi-wall carbon nanotubes after UV/ozone and TETA treatments. Carbon2006; 44: 768–777.
15.
GabrielGSauthierGFraxedasJMoreno-MañasMMartínezMTMiravitllesC. Preparation and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with amines. Carbon2006; 44: 1891–1897.
16.
MaPCKimJKTangBZ. Functionalization of carbon nanotubes using a silane coupling agent. Carbon2006; 44: 3232–3238.
SuhrJKoratkarNKeblinskiPAjayanP. Viscoelasticity in carbon nanotubes composites. Nat Mater2005; 4: 134–137.
27.
HsaioKTAlmsJAdvaniSG. Use of epoxy/multiwalled carbon nanotubes as adhesives to join graphite fiber reinforced polymer composites. Nanotechnology2003; 14: 791–793.
28.
GibsonR. A review of recent research on mechanics of multifunctional composite materials and structures. Compos Struct2010; 92: 2793–2810.
SeyhanATTanogluMSchulteK. Mode I and mode II fracture toughness of E-glass non-crimp fabric/carbon nanotube (CNT) modified polymer based composites. Eng Fract Mech2008; 75: 5151–5162.
31.
GarciaEJWardleBLHartAJ. Joining prepreg composite interfaces with aligned carbon nanotubes. Compos Part A-Appl S2008; 39: 1065–1070.
32.
ChandrasekaranVCSAdvaniSGSantareMH. Role of processing on interlaminar shear strength enhancement of epoxy/glass fiber/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid composites. Carbon2010; 48: 3692–3699.
33.
YesilSWinkelmannCBayramGLa SaponaraV. Surfactant-modified multiscale composites for improved tensile fatigue and impact damage sensing. Mater Sci Eng A-Struct2010; 527: 7340–7352.
34.
ASTM D2344/D2344M. Short-beam strength of polymer matrix composite materials and their laminates. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
35.
ASTM D5868. Lap shear adhesion for fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bonding. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
36.
ASTM D3518/D3518M. Standard test method for in-plane shear response of polymer matrix composite materials by tensile test of a ±45° laminate. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
37.
ASTM D5687/D5687M. Standard guide for preparation of flat composite panels with processing guidelines for specimen preparation. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
38.
ASTM D3039/D3039M. Standard test method for tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
39.
ASTM D6272. Standard test method for flexural properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics and electrical insulating materials by four-point bending. In: Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: ASTM International, 2008.
40.
DowlingNE. Mechanical behavior of materials: Engineering methods for deformation, fracture, and fatigue, 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc, 2007, pp.115–117.
41.
KellyGHallstromS. Strength and failure mechanisms of composite laminates subjected to localised transverse loading. J Compos Struct2005; 69: 301–314.
42.
BankLC. Composites for construction: Structural design with FRP materials. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, Inc, 2006.
43.
Reda TahaMMShriveNG. New concrete anchors for CFRP post-tensioning tendon- part I: State of the art review / design. ACI Struct J2003; 100: 86–95.
