Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The reinforcement of epoxy by MWCNTs is done to obtain the required properties of composites. However, the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is a critical problem. Hence, an attempt is made to optimize the processing conditions for dispersing the MWCNTs in epoxy by solvent dispersion techniq...

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Main Authors: S. Arun, Mrutyunjay Maharana, S. Kanagaraj
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Journal of Nanotechnology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/634726
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author S. Arun
Mrutyunjay Maharana
S. Kanagaraj
author_facet S. Arun
Mrutyunjay Maharana
S. Kanagaraj
author_sort S. Arun
collection DOAJ
description The reinforcement of epoxy by MWCNTs is done to obtain the required properties of composites. However, the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is a critical problem. Hence, an attempt is made to optimize the processing conditions for dispersing the MWCNTs in epoxy by solvent dispersion technique. The epoxy/MWCNTs mixture was prepared using three methods: (1) magnetic stirring at 55°C, (2) hot air oven process at 55°C, and (3) vacuum oven process at room temperature. The nanocomposites having 0.1 and 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs were prepared, for each method. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied as per ASTM-D695, and the thermal conductivity was measured using KD2 probe. It is observed that the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal conductivity of 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs prepared by vacuum oven method were found to be enhanced by 39.4, 10.7, and 59.2%, respectively, compared to those of pure epoxy. Though the properties of nanocomposites were increased with MWCNTs’ concentration irrespective of the processing techniques, the vacuum-processed sample showed the most enhanced properties compared to any other method. It is concluded that a unique method for the dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is the solvent dispersion technique with vacuum drying process.
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spelling doaj-art-eae1ad1ccbca4cdcb9f8490e3393a2542025-08-20T02:22:02ZengWileyJournal of Nanotechnology1687-95031687-95112013-01-01201310.1155/2013/634726634726Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon NanotubesS. Arun0Mrutyunjay Maharana1S. Kanagaraj2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, IndiaThe reinforcement of epoxy by MWCNTs is done to obtain the required properties of composites. However, the homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is a critical problem. Hence, an attempt is made to optimize the processing conditions for dispersing the MWCNTs in epoxy by solvent dispersion technique. The epoxy/MWCNTs mixture was prepared using three methods: (1) magnetic stirring at 55°C, (2) hot air oven process at 55°C, and (3) vacuum oven process at room temperature. The nanocomposites having 0.1 and 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs were prepared, for each method. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied as per ASTM-D695, and the thermal conductivity was measured using KD2 probe. It is observed that the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal conductivity of 0.2 wt.% of MWCNTs prepared by vacuum oven method were found to be enhanced by 39.4, 10.7, and 59.2%, respectively, compared to those of pure epoxy. Though the properties of nanocomposites were increased with MWCNTs’ concentration irrespective of the processing techniques, the vacuum-processed sample showed the most enhanced properties compared to any other method. It is concluded that a unique method for the dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy is the solvent dispersion technique with vacuum drying process.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/634726
spellingShingle S. Arun
Mrutyunjay Maharana
S. Kanagaraj
Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Journal of Nanotechnology
title Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
title_full Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
title_fullStr Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
title_short Optimizing the Processing Conditions for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Resin by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
title_sort optimizing the processing conditions for the reinforcement of epoxy resin by multiwalled carbon nanotubes
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/634726
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AT mrutyunjaymaharana optimizingtheprocessingconditionsforthereinforcementofepoxyresinbymultiwalledcarbonnanotubes
AT skanagaraj optimizingtheprocessingconditionsforthereinforcementofepoxyresinbymultiwalledcarbonnanotubes