Processing and Mechanical Characterization of Polymer/Carbon Nanotubes Fiber Reinforced Composites by Innovative Vacuum Infusion Technology

摘要

In this study, Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) epoxy glass fiber composites have been manufactured by conventional Vacuum Infusion process and the novel Pulse Infusion technique. Pulse Infusion allows to control the pressure of the vacuum bag on the dry fiber reinforcement and induce a pulsed transverse action to promote the through thickness resin flow by using a proper designed pressure distributor. The realized composite panel have been mechanically characterized by performing flexural tests according with the ASTM D790 standard in order to investigate the effect of the new manufacturing process on the flexural strength and modulus.