Carbon nanotubes for epoxy Nanocomposites: a review on recent developments

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the strongest and stiffest engineering fibres. Due to their unique combination of chemical and physical properties at an incredibly small size, they possess great potential to be used as nanofillers for many structural and functional materials, particularly in aerospace sector. Depending on the type, geometrical parameters, concentration, dispersion and many other factors, CNTs can significantly modify the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of epoxy based materials. This review paper, covering methods of synthesis, composite processing techniques and properties, presents an overview of develop-ments in the field of CNT/ epoxy nanocomposites in recent years

Rapid microwave processing of epoxy nanocomposites using carbon nanotubes

Microwave processing is one of the rapid processing techniques for manufacturing nanocomposites. There is very little work focussing on the addition of CNTs for shortening the curing time of epoxy nanocomposites. Using microwave energy, the effect of CNT addition on the curing of epoxy nanocomposites was researched in this work. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the degree of cure for epoxy and nanocomposite samples. CNT addition significantly reduced the duration for complete curing of epoxy nanocomposites. As compared to monolithic cured epoxy, 20.5% of decrease in time and 12.5% decrease in spent consumed energy were observed for 0.2 wt.% CNT filled epoxy nanocomposite

Carbon Nanotubes for Epoxy Nanocomposites: A Review on Recent Developments

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the strongest and stiffest engineering fibres. Due to their unique combination of chemical and physical properties at an incredibly small size, they possess great potential to be used as nanofillers for many structural and functional materials, particularly in aerospace sector. Depending on the type, geometrical parameters, concentration, dispersion and many other factors, CNTs can significantly modify the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of epoxy based materials. This review paper, covering methods of synthesis, composite processing techniques and properties, presents an overview of develop-ments in the field of CNT/ epoxy nanocomposites in recent years

Carbon nanotubes for next generation aircraft materials

A perfect crystalline carbon nanotube (CNT) is one of the lightest, strongest and stiffest materials known from the last two decades. However, they are yet to be thoroughly exploited for any potential aerospace product. The current paper demonstrates some of the significant benefits for using CNT filled materials for developing the next generation hybrid micro/nano-composites for aircrafts. CNTs were used to expedite processing (microwave curing) and reduce energy consumption for Carbon Fibre Reinforced Epoxy (CFRE) composites. CNTs induced strain sensing and structural health monitoring capability to CFRE composites as demonstrated in this work. It was also shown that CNTs significantly increased the fracture damage tolerance of CFRE composites that are currently being used for Boeing 787 and Airbus’ A350-XWB, where the latter aircraft is yet to be launched

A review of impact drop testing of composite laminate plates

Today, composite materials are widely used in many industrial applications due to their advanced properties such as a higher strength-to-weight ratio. However, low-velocity impact failure in composites poses maintenance issues since it may result in unseen damage. This work provides a detailed overview of impact drop testing of composite laminate plates. The principal objective of this work is to comprehend the impact damage behaviour and failure mechanism in composite laminates. The paper also provides examining new techniques for making composite laminates and how these techniques might affect the impact performance of composite materials

Shortening curing durations for carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy

In this paper epoxy composites with different content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were cured under microwave radiation. It was proved that CNT addition can further speed-up the microwave curing of epoxy composites and reduce curing durations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the degree of cure epoxy resin and CNT filled composite samples. As compared to monolithic cured epoxy, 20.5 % of temperature reduction and 12.5 % of energy reduction were observed for 0.2 wt.% CNTs epoxy nanocomposite

Comparison of structural health assessment capabilities in epoxy – carbon black and epoxy – carbon nanotube nanocomposites

A novel method for comparing structural health of different types of brittle epoxy nanocomposites filled with carbon nanostructured fillers is presented. Epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon black (CB) and epoxy – 0.2 vol% carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite bars were prepared by calendering and thermal curing. Nanocomposite bars were subjected to Vickers diamond indentation to produce sub-surface damage. Electrical conductivities were analysed by 4-point method to estimate the structural damage caused by indentation. For comprehensive comparison, fracture toughness and percolation threshold were analysed as well. Because of the systematically induced indentation damage, a sharp decrease of 89% was observed in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CNT nanocomposite as compared to 25% in the electrical conductivity of epoxy – CB nanocomposite. CNTs impart superior damage sensing capability in brittle nanocomposite structures, in comparison to CB, due to their high aspect ratio (fibrous nature) and high electrical conductivity