MWCNT-Coated Glass Fabric/Phenol Composite Heating Panel Fabricated by Resin Infusion Process

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Fiber-reinforced composites are crucial for transportation.
• Developing efficient heating elements for railway vehicles is an ongoing challenge.
• Incorporating conductive fillers can enhance composite functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop lightweight structural composite heating panels for railway vehicles.
• To investigate the application of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on glass fabric for enhanced properties.
• To evaluate the electrical, mechanical, and thermal performance of the fabricated composite panels.

Main Methods:

• Coating plain-weave glass fiber fabric with MWCNTs via dip-coating and drying.
• Resin infusion of flame-retardant phenolic resin to create composite heating panels.
• Characterization of electrical conductivity, mechanical properties (modulus, strength, strain), and heating performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved very low percolation thresholds (0.00216 wt% and 0.001 wt%) for MWCNTs.
• Obtained high electrical conductivities (47.5 S/m and 26.7 S/m) at low MWCNT concentrations.
• Maintained mechanical properties comparable to pristine glass fabric composites.
• Demonstrated uniform heating performance.

Conclusions:

• Directly coating MWCNTs onto glass fabric creates effective electrical pathways.
• This approach offers a viable solution for lightweight structural composite heating panels in railway applications.
• The developed composite panels exhibit a promising balance of electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties.