Influence of MWCNTs as Secondary Reinforcement Material in Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composites Fabricated Using VARTM

摘要

Effects of multi-walled carbon nano tubes, (MWCNTs) - as secondary reinforcements - on tensile strength, fiber-matrix bonding and interaction with the coupling agent in glass fiber/epoxy composite have been reported. Composites have been fabricated by a lab scale vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) according to ASTM D-638 standard. Pristine CNTs are usually not so effective, but with the interaction of silane coated glass fabric, interfacial reinforcing between matrix and fibers has been found to take place and that increases the toughness as well as the tensile properties by enhancing the interfacial strength between the fabric and the matrix.. The increase in tensile strength of about 27% was observed from experimental values using only 0.3% weight percent of CNTs in epoxy. FTIR analysis confirmed the Si-O-C linkage and SEM results showed good adhesion of fibers with matrix confirming the enhancement of interface.