Process development and characterization of spraying carbon nanofibers over fabrics for reinforcing polymer composites

Process development and characterization of spraying carbon nanofibers (CNF) over carbon fiber fabrics for reinforcing polymer composites are presented in this study. The molded composite structure consists of a high‐temperature polymer reinforced with carbon fiber fabrics sprayed with different dosages of carbon nanofibers. The materials were molded using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the molded materials. The results show that the tensile strength and modulus were both improved over the molded materials without CNF. Spraying CNF with a dosage of an 8 µg/mm² of the used fabrics helped to increase the tensile strength by 12%. The tensile modulus increased by 28% with a CNF dosage of 16 µg/mm². Uniform distribution of CNF was observed under SEM in the molded composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1629–1635, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers