Mechanical properties of blended single-wall carbon nanotube composites

The improvement in mechanical properties of blended nanocomposites prepared using a low-viscosity, liquid epoxy resin and purified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was evaluated. The macroscopic tensile stress–strain behavior for hybrid materials made with varying amounts of SWCNT was determined and showed little improvement in the breaking tensile strength. The corresponding variations in modulus and hardness were obtained using nanoindentation considering time effects and showed quantifiable but modest improvements. The small changes in the observed stiffness and breaking strength of carbon nanotube composites is due to the formation of bundles and their curvy morphology.