Mechanics of Composite Materials

, Volume 48, Issue 1, pp 47–56 | Cite as

Properties of a composite prepared using a concentrate of carbon nanotubes in polyethylene

  • R. D. Maksimov
  • J. Bitenieks
  • E. Plume
  • J. Zicans
  • R. Merijs Meri
Article
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Results of an investigation into the properties of polyethylene (PE) with small, no more than 5 wt.%, additions of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reported. Specimens of the composite were prepared using a concentrate containing 31.6 wt.% of nanotubes in the polyethylene matrix. The concentrate was fabricated by a patent in situ polymerization method. Experimental data on the influence of CNT additions on the thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry, the crystallinity of the polyethylene matrix, and the indices of mechanical properties (yield stress, strength, elastic modulus, ultimate elongation, and long-term creep) of PE/CNT composite are obtained. A theoretical analysis of elastic properties of the PE/CNT composite was carried out by using the Mori–Tanaka theory of an equivalent medium. The calculation results are compared with experimental data.

Keywords

polyethylene carbon nanotubes composite crystallinity mechanical properties 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. D. Maksimov
    • 1
  • J. Bitenieks
    • 2
  • E. Plume
    • 1
  • J. Zicans
    • 2
  • R. Merijs Meri
    • 2
  1. 1.Institute of Polymer MechanicsUniversity of LatviaRigaLatvia
  2. 2.Institute of Polymer MaterialsRiga Technical UniversityRigaLatvia

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