Mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes/unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites in transverse and longitudinal fiber directions

Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy (UCFRE) is suffering from weak transverse mechanical properties and through-thickness properties. The effect of different amount (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 phr which is proportional to 0.09, 0.27 and 0.46 wt%, respectively) of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), on transverse tensile properties, flexural strength, fracture toughness in transverse and longitudinal fiber directions, interlaminar shear strength and lap shear strength of UCFRE has been investigated. Dicyandiamide was used as a thermal curing agent of epoxy resin. MWCNT was dispersed in the epoxy resin by ultrasonic instrument and their dispersion state was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The curing behavior of epoxy resin and its nanocomposites was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry. Results show that transverse tensile strength, modulus and strain-at-break were increased by 28.5%, 25% and 14%, respectively by adding 0.1 phr of MWCNT. Longitudinal flexural properties of UCFRE was not changed by adding different amount of MWCNT. Although longitudinal flexural strength was increased by 5% by adding 0.1 phr of MWCNT. Fracture toughness in transverse and longitudinal fiber directions was increased by 39% and 9%, respectively at 0.3 phr of MWCNT. Results also show that interlaminar shear strength and lap shear strength were increased at 0.3 phr of MWCNT by 8% and 5%, respectively. These increases in mechanical properties were due to the good adhesion of fibers to the matrix, interlocking and toughening action of MWCNT as revealed by SEM.