Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The matrix stiffness role on tensile and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, randomly oriented single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated by tip sonication with the aid of a solvent and subsequent casting. Two different curing cycles were used to study the role of the stiffness of the epoxy matrix on the tensile and thermal behavior of the composites. The addition of a small amount of SWCNTs (0.25 wt.%) in rubbery, i.e., soft matrices, greatly increased Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the tensile properties of soft epoxy matrices are much more influenced by the addition of carbon nanotubes than stiffer ones. The significant improvement in tensile properties was attributed to the excellent mechanical properties and structure of SWCNTs, an adequate dispersion of SWCNTs by tip sonication, and a stronger SWCNT/matrix interfacial adhesion in softer epoxy matrices. A slight improvement in the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was also observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fidelus JD, Wiesel E, Gojny FH, Schulte K, Wagner HD (2005) Composites Part A 36(11):1555. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.02.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Moniruzzaman M, Winey KI (2006) Macromolecules 39(16):5194. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/ma060733p

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Peigney A, Flahaut E, Laurent C, Chastel F, Rousset A (2002) Chem Phys Lett 352(1–2):20. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2614(01)01441-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu TX, Tong YJ, Zhang WD (2007) Compos Sci Technol 67(3–4):406. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2006.09.007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Shen JF, Huang WS, Wu LP, Hu YZ, Ye MX (2007) Compos Sci Technol 67(15–16):3041. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.04.025

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Xu CL, Wei BQ, Ma RZ, Liang J, Ma XK, Wu DH (1999) Carbon 37(5):855. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-6223(98)00285-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Rosu D, Cascaval CN, Mustata F, Ciobanu C (2002) Thermochim Acta 383(1–2):119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhou YX, Pervin F, Lewis L, Jeelani S (2007) Mater Sci Eng A 452:657. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2006.11.066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Zhuang GS, Sui GX, Sun ZS, Yang R (2006) J Appl Polym Sci 102(4):3664. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/app.24148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Villoria RG, Miravete A, Cuartero J, Chiminelli A, Tolosana N (2006) Composites Part B 37(4–5):273. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2006.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Hong SG, Wu CS (1998) Thermochim Acta 316(2):167. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-6031(98)00356-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Moniruzzaman M, Du FM, Romero N, Winey KI (2006) Polymer (Guildf) 47(1):293. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.11.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ci LJ, Bai JC (2006) Compos Sci Technol 66(3–4):599. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.05.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Puglia D, Valentini L, Armentano I, Kenny JM (2003) Diamond Relat Mater 12(3–7):827

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Allaoui A, Bai S, Cheng HM, Bai JB (2002) Compos Sci Technol 62(15):1993. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-3538(02)00129-X

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ding W, Eitan A, Fisher FT, Chen X, Dikin DA, Andrews R et al (2003) Nano Lett 3(11):1593. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/nl0345973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank CAPES-PROCAD (Project 0303054) for financial support and the scholarship to Mr. M. R. Loos and to PETROBRAS for financial support for producing carbon nanotubes.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Ciências Tecnológicas, UDESC, Campus Universitário s/n. CP 631 – Bairro Bom Retiro, Joinville, SC, 89223-100, Brazil

    M. R. Loos, S. H. Pezzin & L. A. F. Coelho

  2. DEMAT, PPGEM, UFRGS, Campus do Vale, Porto Alegre, RS, 91410-000, Brazil

    S. C. Amico & C. P. Bergmann

Authors
  1. M. R. Loos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. H. Pezzin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. C. Amico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. P. Bergmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. A. F. Coelho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. A. F. Coelho.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Loos, M.R., Pezzin, S.H., Amico, S.C. et al. The matrix stiffness role on tensile and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites. J Mater Sci 43, 6064–6069 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-008-2960-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-008-2960-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation