Investigation on the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites manufactured using vacuum infusion process and hand layup process followed by vacuum bagging

Epoxy/carbon fiber (CF) composites are widely used for structural applications owing to their exceptional mechanical and physical characteristics. The main aim of this work is to individually analyze the impact of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as nanofillers in epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites pre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer composites 2024-01, Vol.45 (2), p.1600-1618
Main Authors: Varghese, Arun Sam, M. S., Sreekanth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bagging
carbon fiber
Carbon fiber reinforced plastics
Carbon fibers
epoxy
Flexural strength
Fracture mechanics
fracture mechanism
Hand lay-up
Impact analysis
Manufacturing
Mechanical properties
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Nanocomposites
Physical properties
Stability analysis
Thermal stability
Thermogravimetric analysis
VIP
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Summary:Epoxy/carbon fiber (CF) composites are widely used for structural applications owing to their exceptional mechanical and physical characteristics. The main aim of this work is to individually analyze the impact of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as nanofillers in epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites prepared by vacuum infusion process (VIP) and hand layup followed by vacuum bagging technique (HLVB). Optimal Manufacturing Strategies were followed at various stages of manufacturing which include the selection of effective dispersion technique for MWCNTs, identification of optimal weight percentage of MWCNTs in epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposites and preparation of epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites. For HLVB samples, tensile and flexural strengths increased from 337.5 to 475 MPa and 615.40 to 677.09 MPa. For VIP samples tensile and flexural strengths increased from 371 to 521 MPa and 714.19 to 769.02 MPa. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated improvement in the thermal stability of epoxy with the incorporation of MWCNTs/CF and improved weight percentage retention of 84.7% at 375°C. Fracture analysis of the epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites prepared using VIP were analyzed by FE‐SEM and revealed that constant fiber rupture caused by better interface and improved bridging mechanism eventually led to enhanced mechanical performance. The predominant immediate fracture mechanism of MWCNTs also indicated this improved interfacial interaction. Highlights Pull‐out fracture mechanism was predominantly seen in high viscous epoxy/MWCNTs composites Immediate fracture mechanism of MWCNTs were predominant in low viscous epoxy/MWCNTs sample Constant fiber rupture of VIP samples indicated improved fiber matrix interface Incorporation of MWCNTs showed improved weight percentage retention 0.5 wt% MWCNTs incorporated VIP epoxy/CF composites showed improved performance The main aim of this work is to individually analyze the impact of MWCNTs as nanofillers in epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites prepared by vacuum infusion process (VIP) and hand layup followed by vacuum bagging technique (HLVB). Optimal Manufacturing Strategies were followed at various stages of manufacturing which include the selection of effective dispersion technique for MWCNTs, identification of optimal weight percentage of MWCNTs in epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposites and preparation of epoxy/MWCNTs/CF composites. For HLVB samples, tensile and flexural strengths increased from 337.5 to 475 MPa and 615.40 to 677.09 MPa. For VIP samples tensile an
ISSN:0272-8397
1548-0569
DOI:10.1002/pc.27876