The thermal and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites can be influenced by the reinforcing fibers and the polymer matrix. The interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix is also an important factor for improving the properties. Accordingly, it is needed to control interfacial characteristics for improving the mechanical and thermal properties composites.
Incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as an interfacial reinforcement into a fiber reinforced polymer composite may provide the ability to control the interfaces between the fiber and the matrix. It has been well known that epoxy resin can be cured by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and the cured epoxy has high thermal and mechanical properties. UV curing is fast process and occurs at low temperatures reducing residual mechanical stress in a thermosetting composite. Especially, cationic photo-polymerization is one of the fastest growing areas in the UV-curing industry. It offers the classical UV-curing advantage, as it is solvent-free, energy efficient and takes place at ambient temperature.
In this study, MWCNT with different contents (0∼2 wt%) was dispersed in carbon fabrics by using ultra-sonicating process. Carbon/MWCNT/epoxy composites were fabricated by UV and thermal curing process.
An antimonate-type of cationic photo-initiators was used and UV irradiation time was 5min, lamp height was 13cm. The effect of content of MWCNT on glass transition temperature, thermal stability, thermo-dimensional stability, dynamic mechanical properties, and fracture surfaces of carbon fiber/MWCNT/epoxy composites were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA), a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).