Carbon and glass hierarchical fibers: Influence of carbon nanotubes on tensile, flexural and impact properties of short fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

a b s t r a c tDense carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown uniformly on the surface of carbon fibers and glass fibers to create hierarchical fibers by use of floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition. Morphologies of the CNTs were investigated using scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Larger diameter dimension and distinct growing mechanism of nanotubes on glass fiber were revealed. Short carbon and glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were fabricated using the hierarchical fibers and compared with composites made using neat fibers. Tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites were measured, which showed evident enhancement in all mechanical properties compared to neat short fiber composites. SEM micrographs of composite fracture surface demonstrated improved adhesion between CNT-coated fiber and the matrix. The enhanced mechanical properties of short fiber composites was attributed to the synergistic effects of CNTs in improving fiber-matrix interfacial properties as well as the CNTs acting as supplemental reinforcement in short fiber-composites.

Increasing the interfacial strength in carbon fiber/polypropylene composites by growing CNTs on the fibers

“…It is confirmed that the CNT grafting onto carbon fiber is effective to modify IFSS of carbon fiber/polypropylene systems, though the penetration and wettability of polypropylene to grafted fibers were concerned. In this study, the thickness of CNT layer was less than 1µm, and thinner compared to other researches [12,15]. In the case of thin CNT layer, polypropylene can penetrate between CNT, and thus improve IFSS by mechanical interlocking effect of CNT.…”

“…Vishkaei et al [14] and Rahmanian et al [15] confirmed approximately 40% and 30% enhancement in tensile strength and stiffness compared to conventional SFRP, respectively. They concluded that in addition to causing enhanced fiber-matrix interfaced bonding, CNT also act as reinforcement.…”

“…The introduction of CNTs into conventional fibre reinforced polymer composites creates a hierarchical reinforcement structure and can improve composites performance [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The addition of CNTs into conventional composites modifies the IFSS of composites; therefore it can improve the strength of them.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube/Carbon Fiber/Polycarbonate Multiscale Hybrid Composites

“…Several researches have been reported on impregnation of CNTs into carbon fibers (CFs): infusion/impregnation of a CNT-resin mixture into the primary fiber assembly [8,9], direct growth of CNTs on reinforcement fiber surface through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) [10,11], direct placement of CNTs between layers of the preform [12], electrophoretic deposition onto the surface of fiber [13,14], electrostatic assembly of oxidized CNTs onto functionalized fiber [15] and coating of fiber with CNT-containing sizings [16][17][18][19][20]. Especially, the first and the third methods are widely used due to the easiness of application.…”

Influence of silanized low‐dimensional carbon nanofillers on mechanical, thermomechanical, and crystallization behaviors of poly(L‐lactic acid) composites—A comparative study

“…[7][8][9][10][11] Polymers reinforced with nanosized fillers are promising candidates for various applications requiring lightweight, high-performance, and multifunctional materials. To date, pristine clays, 12 organically modified clays, 13,14 nanofibers, 15 whiskers, 16 or more recently carbonaceous fillers 3,17,18 have received much more attention. Among conventional nanofillers, both carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have exceptional electric transport, thermal and mechanical properties, which appear as excellent candidates to make advanced functional composite materials.…”