Carbon-Nanofibre-Filled Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

Macroscopic poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites containing vapour-grown carbon nanofibres (CNF) were produced using standard polymer processing. Tensile tests revealed a linear increase in composite stiffness with nanofibre content. A detailed DSC study verified that under standard processing conditions the degree of crystallinity and the crystalline structure of these semicrystalline thermoplastics were not affected by the nanofibres. Nevertheless, we provide evidence that the nanoscale filler can alter the polymer morphology under certain conditions, an effect which needs to be considered when evaluating nanocomposite properties. Given the absence of morphological changes in the standard nanocomposites we were able to calculate the intrinsic nanofibre modulus using short fibre theory; both distinctively different matrix systems show a similar effective nanofibre modulus.

Sliding wear, viscoelasticity, and brittleness of polymers

“…The procedures seem to deserve further improvement; MBG say soberly: with dexterity, bubble formation can be avoided. Nanohybrids-such as those containing carbon nanofibers [6][7][8] -seem much more promising in this respect.…”

“…15 However, words "friction" and "wear" do not appear in the subject index of the Goldman, Mark, or LSM books, while the excellent papers on mechanics hardly venture into tribology. The small number worldwide of groups active in polymer tribology with good results [6][7][8] (see also a review of the field 16 ) does not change the overall situation in a decisive way.…”

Tribological behaviour of carbon-nanofibre-reinforced poly(ether ether ketone)

“…In recent studies [9,10] we have shown that vapour-grown carbon nanofibres (CNF) can be homogeneously incorporated and dispersed in PEEK composites by twin-screw extrusion and injection moulding. The resulting nanocomposites showed a linear increase in stiffness and strength with increasing nanofibre content.…”

Peroxide Assisted Coupling and Characterization of Carbon‐Nanofiber‐Reinforced Poly(propylene) Composites

“…Their high aspect ratio and graphitization degree make them an attractive choice for the manufacturing of advanced polymeric materials with improved strength and stiffness, as well as some supplementary attributes such as electrical conductivity and improved thermal stability 4, 5, 9, 11. Moreover, vapor grown carbon nanofibers suppose a relatively low cost model system for carbon nanotubes in order to understand their role for load transfer in composites 12…”

“…Vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) have been successfully compounded with different thermoplastic9, 10, 12–25 and thermoset26, 27 matrices using conventional polymer processing technology such as high‐shear mixing or extrusion, demonstrating the feasibility of such methods for effective dispersion and orientation of the nanofibers. Unfortunately, the mechanical performance of these composites have been limited by the lack of an adequate interface strength, which results in poor interlaminar adherence and fiber pull‐out 4, 28…”