Conductive CNF-doped laminates processing and characterization

• Published in: Journal of composite materials 2011-09, Vol.45 (20), p.2113-2118
• Main Authors: Morales, G., Barrena, M.I., Gómez de Salazar, J.M., Merino, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon fibers; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fracture mechanics (crack, fatigue, damage...); Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Laminates; Machinery and processing; Mechanical properties; Moulding; Nanofibers; Physics; Plastics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Reinforcement; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; Tensile strength
• ISSN: 0021-9983; 1530-793X
• DOI: 10.1177/0021998311401062

In this study, carbon nanofiber (CNF)/glass fiber/polyester resin laminated composites were prepared using two different manufacturing methods: Hand lay-up method and vacuum bagging. These techniques were used in order to compare their influence in the final properties of the composite. Every kind of laminate was loaded with CNF between 0 and 2 wt% with respect to the resin weight. It was found that the presence of CNF produced a reinforcement of the composites in both flexural and tensile strengths regardless of the manufacturing method. On the other hand, composites prepared by the vacuum bag technique showed an important increase in their mechanical properties due to the preparation method. Finally, the CNF-loaded laminates were found to be conductive with only 0.5 wt% CNF loading.