Electron beam (EB) curing is a high rate manufacturing technique for preparing of the epoxy composites. In this study, EB radiation was used to prepare carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/epoxy composites and the effects of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on the mechanical properties of EB cured MWNTs/epoxy composites were studied given the important effects on the composites performance of interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and epoxy. The results showed that a substantial increase of the Vicker’s hardness appeared at MWNTs content of 0.1 wt%, but further filler content increase led to insignificant changes. Also the tensile modulus of the 0.25 wt% GPTMS functionalized MWNTs (GPTMS-MWNTs)/epoxy composites was enhanced by 34.9%. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies revealed that filling the 0.25 wt% GPTMS-MWNTs into epoxy can produce an 18.4℃ (from 121.1℃ to 139.5℃) increase in Tg as well. It was concluded that GPTMS functionalization has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of MWNTs/epoxy composites.

This paper reports a study on novel geopolymers, focusing on chemically bonded composites, by incorporating wollastonite and recycled mixed plastics. Magnesium oxide and monopotassium phosphate were used as binders; while the recycled mixed plastics consisted of high-density polyethylene and polystyrene at different volume ratios. The effects of molar ratio (magnesium-to-phosphorus ratio), wollastonite-to-binder ratio and recycled mixed plastics content were investigated. The performance of geopolymers was evaluated based on their setting time and water absorption, compressive and flexural strengths as well as thermal properties.