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Abstract

In this article, carbon nanotubes were dispersed in epoxy resin matrix by directly mixing and using acetone as a solvent, respectively. Rheological properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy suspension and neat epoxy were investigated. Composites containing carbon nanotubes of random, aligned, and staggered orientations were, respectively, prepared. Meanwhile, an electric field was applied to induce alignment of carbon nanotubes in epoxy resin. Test results revealed that dispersion method and other process parameters had significant impacts on mechanical properties of the composites. In comparison with directly mixing, using a solvent was considered to contribute to improvement of 10% on flexural strength and decrescence of more than 70% on the error bar of test data. Similarly, improved mechanical properties and enhanced reliability of measurment data were achieved by extending the vacuum time for the purpose of removing air bubbles completely. Scanning electron microscope images indicated that carbon nanotube aggregates and gas holes in composites could be reduced by dispersing carbon nanotubes via acetone and extending vacuum time to 2 h.

Keywords

epoxy carbon nanotubes polymer-matrix composites mechanical property

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Process improvement in preparation of epoxy/carbon nanotube composites

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