RTM processing and electrical performance of carbon nanotube modified epoxy/fibre composites

Elisabete F. Reia da Costa, Alexandros A. Skordos, Ivana K. Partridge, Amir Rezai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This investigation focuses on nanoparticle filtration in the processing of multiscale carbon and glass fibre composites via resin transfer moulding. Surface modified and unmodified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into a commercial epoxy resin. The dispersion quality was evaluated using electrical measurements of the liquid suspensions. The manufacturing process was adapted to the challenges posed by the modified rheological behaviour of the CNT loaded resin. Nanoparticle filtration was observed; with some of the unmodified systems following so called 'cake filtration' behaviour. This resulted in nonlinear flow behaviour that deviated from the ideal response observed in RTM filling in conventional composites. The electrical conductivity of relatively high fibre volume fraction multiscale carbon and glass laminates increased by less than an order of magnitude with the addition of the nanotubes. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)593-602
Number of pages10
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012

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