Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tensile, torsional and bending behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane composites

  • Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Plastics Technology

Abstract

Composites of polyurethane (PU)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been successfully prepared by using Solvent Mixing approach followed by injection molding. Field emission scanning electron microscopy has been performed and indicated reasonable dispersion of MWCNTs into PU matrix. Mechanical characterization shows that tensile modulus and stiffness of PU/MWCNT composites have been greatly improved by 23 times and 15 times, respectively, for 7 wt% in comparison with pure PU. Torsion and three-point bend tests revealed that torque and flexural modulus of PU composite with 7 wt% of MWCNTs have also been improved in comparison with pure PU. Excellent load transfer property of MWCNTs and their interaction with polymer matrix due to even dispersion are the suggested reasons for the improvement in mechanical properties. This significant improvement in mechanical properties of PU/MWCNT composite opens up several new avenues of mechanical applications like fabrication of shoes, gloves, helmet and other materials for armed force personnel.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Iijima S (1991) Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon. Nature 354:56–58

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Barick AK, Tripathy DK (2011) Preparation, characterization and properties of acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng B 176(18):1435–1447

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yu M-F, Files BS, Arepalli S, Ruoff RS (2000) Tensile loading of ropes of single wall carbon nanotubes and their mechanical properties. Phys Rev Lett 84(24):5552–5555

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Xia H, Song M (2005) Preparation and characterization of polyurethane—carbon nanotube composites. Soft Matter 1:386–394

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Lopes MC, De Castro VG, Seara LM, Perige V, Diniz A, Lavall RL, Silva GG (2014) Thermosetting polyurethane-multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: thermomechanical properties and nano indentation. Appl Polym Sci 41207:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  6. Thostenson ET, Ren Z, Chou T-W (2001) Advances in the science and technology of carbon nanotubes and their composites: a review. Compos Sci Technol 61(13):1899–1912

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen G, Kim H, Hyun B, Yoon J (2006) Multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced nylon 6 composites. Polymer (Guildf) 47:4760–4767

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Mathur RB, Pande S, Singh BP, Dhami TL (2008) Electrical and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced PMMA and PS composites. Polym Compos 29(7):717–727

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Ruoff RS, Qian D, Liu WK (2003) Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes: theoretical predictions and experimental measurements. Comptes Rendus Phys 4(9):993–1008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bose S, Khare RA, Moldenaers P (2010) Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of various types of pre-treatments of carbon nanotubes on the properties of polymer/carbon nanotubes composites: a critical review. Polymer 51(5):975–993

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jindal P, Yadav RN, Kumar N (2017) Dynamic mechanical characterization of PC/MWCNT composites under variable temperature conditions. Iran Polym J 26(6):445–452

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Gupta TK, Singh BP, Dhakate SR, Singh VN, Mathur RB (2013) Improved nanoindentation and microwave shielding properties of modified MWCNT reinforced polyurethane. J Mater Chem A 1:9138–9149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tijing LD, Park C, Lim W, Tom M, Ruelo G, Amarjargal A, Raj H, Im I, Sang C (2013) Characterization and mechanical performance comparison of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyurethane composites fabricated by electrospinning and solution casting. Compos Part B 44(1):613–619

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Jindal P, Goyal M, Kumar N (2014) Mechanical characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes-polycarbonate composites. Mater Des 54:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Chen W, Tao X, Liu Y (2006) Carbon nanotube-reinforced polyurethane composite fibers. Compos Sci Technol 66(15):3029–3034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tang W, Santare MH, Advani SG (2003) Melt processing and mechanical property characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotube/high density polyethylene (MWNT/HDPE) composite films. Carbon 41:2779–2785

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Xiong J, Zheng Z, Qin X, Li M, Li H, Wang X (2006) The thermal and mechanical properties of a polyurethane/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite. Carbon 44:2701–2707

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bakshi SR, Tercero JE, Agarwal A (2007) Synthesis and characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotube reinforced ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composite by electrostatic spraying technique. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 38:2493–2499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Pötschke P, Fornes TD, Paul DR (2002) Rheological behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polycarbonate composites. Polymer 43(11):3247–3255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Potschke P (2003) Dielectric spectroscopy on melt processed polycarbonate—multiwalled carbon nanotube composites. Polymer 44:5023–5030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jindal P, Gupta SS, Bansal S, Gairola S, Pandey SK, Singh AP, Bhandari R (2014) Thermal expansion behaviour of PMMA/MWCNT composites. Int J Res Mech Eng Technol 4(2):72–74

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kumar D, Kumar N, Jindal P (2018) Science direct effect of MWCNTs on damping behaviour of polyurethane based nano-composites. Mater Today Proc 5(2):5636–5640

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Bansal SA, Singh AP, Kumar A, Kumar S, Kumar N, Goswamy JK (2018) Improved mechanical performance of bisphenol-a graphene-oxide nano-composites. J Compos Mater 52(16):2179–2188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Kumar D, Kumar N, Jinadal P (2017) Elastic modulus behavior of multi-walled carbon nano-tubes/polyurethane composites using nano- indentation techniques. Indian J Sci Technol 10(17):974–6846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Bansal SA, Singh AP, Kumar S (2018) Synergistic effect of graphene and carbon nanotubes on mechanical and thermal performance of polystyrene. Mater Res Express 5(7):075602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Xiong J, Zheng Z, Song W, Zhou D, Wang X (2008) Microstructure and properties of polyurethane nanocomposites reinforced with methylene-bis-ortho-chloroanilline-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 39(5):904–910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Khan TA, Nazir M, Khan EA, Riaz U (2015) Multiwalled carbon nanotube—polyurethane (MWCNT/PU) composite adsorbent for safranin T and Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution: batch and fi xed-bed studies. J Mol Liq 212:467–479

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kuan H, Ma CM, Chang W, Yuen S (2005) Synthesis, thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of multiwall carbon nanotube/waterborne polyurethane nanocomposite. Compos Sci Technol 65:1703–1710

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Deep N, Mishra P (2018) Evaluation of mechanical properties of functionalized carbon nanotube reinforced PMMA polymer nanocomposite. Karbala Int J Mod Sci 4(2):207–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yoo HJ, Jung YC, Sahoo NG, Cho JW (2006) Polyurethane-carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by in-situ polymerization with electroactive shape memory. J Macromol Sci part B 45(4):441–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Arrakhiz FZ, El Achaby M, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Essassi EM, Qaiss A (2012) Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of Pine cone fibers reinforced compatibilized polypropylene. Mater Des 40:528–535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Swanson SR, Messick M, Toombes GR (1985) Comparison of torsion tube and iosipescu in-plane shear test results for a carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy composite. Composites 16(3):220–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Mehndiratta A, Bandyopadhyaya S, Kumar V, Kumar D (2018) Experimental investigation of span length for flexural test of fiber reinforced polymer composite. Integr Med Res 7(1):89–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research work is financially supported by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under the project 17-11/2015-PN-1 and Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Dinesh Kumar & Prashant Jindal

Authors
  1. Dinesh Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prashant Jindal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prashant Jindal.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kumar, D., Jindal, P. Tensile, torsional and bending behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane composites. Int J Plast Technol 23, 177–187 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-019-09246-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-019-09246-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation