Fabrication and characterization of the composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes with superior mechanical, electrical and thermal properties have received intensive attention in recent years. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were infused into a liquid epoxy, and the solution was sonicated for three hours to separate the aggregation of the MWCNTs and achieve good dispersion. The trapped air was removed from the mixture using a high vacuum. To investigate the effect of matrix stiffness on the mechanical properties of the MWCNT nanocomposites, the mixture ratio between the epoxy and hardener was varied. Two different contents (1% wt. and 2% wt.) of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes were added into the epoxy matrix. Tensile tests were conducted to determine the Young's modulus, yielding stress and tensile strength of the nanocomposites. The natural frequency and damping ratio of the nanocomposites were evaluated using free vibration tests. Experimental results show that the Young's modulus and natural frequency of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites increase with increase of the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. While the damping ratio of the nanocomposites decreases with increase of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The reinforcement role of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes is less significant in a hard matrix when compares with a soft matrix.