The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube dimensions on mechanical properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites

The effects of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) diameter on the mechanical properties of epoxy/MWNT nanocomposites are studied and a correction factor for the Halpin–Tsai model is proposed based on the experimental results. This correction factor accounts for phenomena, such as filler bending or imperfect bonding, which are not included in the theory. To determine the suitable amount of filler, a number of test specimens based on different contents of MWNTs were prepared and tested and 0.5 wt% of MWNT was chosen as the best filler content based on the mechanical properties and the dispersion status. To compare Young’s modulus with the theoretical estimations, the Tsai-Halpin model was used which overestimated the experimental results. Therefore, a correction factor was introduced to the equation to fit the obtained experimental results. The proposed modified equation could predict the experimental result much more effectively. In addition, the modified Tsai- Halpin theory was successfully used to predict the tensile strength in the same fashion as the Young’s modulus

The effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube dimensions on mechanical properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites Keywords:

MWNT , epoxy , Halpin , Tsai model , aspect ratio , mechanical properties