Cure kinetics and phase morphology of CNT modified multi-phase epoxy nanocomposites

Hong Ma, Mohammadali Aravand, Stephen C Hawkins, Brian G Falzon

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

    Abstract

    This work is focused on the preparation and characterisation of high performance multiphase epoxy nanocomposites containing functionalised carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and phase-separating thermoplastic (TP) microparticles. Two epoxy systems with different number of functional groups were employed as the matrix. Analysis of the curing reaction in ternary nanocomposite systems indicated a decrease in the activation energy in comparison with the neat epoxy material. This could be attributed to the catalytic effects of the functionalised nanotubes. TP-rich particles with varying particle sizes are formed in two systems, which is believed to be caused by the differences between viscosities and crosslink densities of the epoxy materials. Although based on microscopic analysis, CNTs are mostly well dispersed, the rather inevitable formation of the secondary agglomerations lead to the non-uniform distribution and irregular shape of TP-rich phase. © CCM 2020 - 18th European Conference on Composite Materials. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication18th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2018
    PublisherApplied Mechanics Laboratory
    ISBN (Electronic)978-151089693-2
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Bibliographical note

    18th European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM 2018;
    Conference date: 24 June 2018 through 28 June 2018;
    Athens, Greece

    Keywords

    • Cure kinetics Nanocomposite Phase morphology Reaction induced phase separation Activation analysis Activation energy Composite materials Curing Lead metallography Morphology Nanocomposites Particle size analysis Phase separation Reaction kinetics Cross-link densities Epoxy nanocomposites Functionalised carbon nanotubes Non-uniform distribution Ternary nanocomposites Carbon nanotubes

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