Characterization and Compression Properties of Injection Molded Carbon Nanotube Composites By:

Since the development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, they have received much attention with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of their composites compared to common polymer composites. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating bundled and unbundled carbon nanotubes into Polyurethane/CNT/woven fiber reinforced composites. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize the dispersion of carbon nanotubes within the polymer matrix in injection molded CNT/polyurethane composites. Polyurethane/CNT/woven fiber reinforced composite plaques were prepared and then characterized by mechanical compression testing. AFM qualitatively determined a decreased agglomerate size resulting in improved mechanical properties. Results of this study show a significant difference amongst the yield stress values, but no significant differences were found for stress at failure, modulus of elasticity, yield strain, strain at failure and toughness between the bundled and unbundled samples.