Enhanced mechanical properties of multifunctional multiscale glass/carbon/epoxy composite reinforced with carbon nanotubes and simultaneous carbon nanotubes/nanoclays
Journal of Composite Materials
Published online on August 11, 2016
Abstract
Hybrid composites have been concerning in the wide variety of applications especially in the aircraft industry. Therefore, it is fantastic to achieve a hybrid composite with a high mechanical performance. For this purpose, it has been decided to imbed secondary nanoscale reinforcement into matrix of glass/carbon/epoxy composite where amino multi-walled carbon nanotubes and hybridization of amino multi-walled carbon nanotube and Nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) have been utilized. The tensile, flexural and impact properties of hybrid composites have been evaluated and a comparative study between hybrid composite reinforced with amino-MWCNTs and simultaneous amino-MWCNTs and Nanoclay has been conducted. The fractured surfaces of tensile testing and bending testing specimens were characterized with a high precise field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results of the tensile test revealed that incorporation of amino-MWCNTs reduced the ultimate strength of hybrid composite while the elastic modulus of composite with combination of amino-MWCNTs and Nanoclay increased. It was demonstrated that incorporation of nanotubes (MWCNTs) exclusively the same as hybridization of amino-MWCNTs/Nanoclay enhanced the flexural properties of conventional composites with highest increment of 10.5% and 22%, simultaneously. Simultaneous presence of nano-fillers resulted in 50% flexural modulus and strength respectively for hybrid composite reinforced with combination of amino-MWCNTs and Nanoclay. Morphological characterization of composites indicated to strengthen interfacial interaction of fabrics to epoxy when matrix reinforced with nano-fillers especially in combination of both nanotubes and nanoclays.