Polymers and Polymer Composites

INFLUENCE OF CARBON NANOFIBER CONTENT AND SURFACE TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF VINYL ESTER

July 1, 2008 By: Plaseied A; Fatemi A; Coleman M R Research article

Title: INFLUENCE OF CARBON NANOFIBER CONTENT AND SURFACE TREATMENT ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF VINYL ESTER
Page Range: p.405-413
Author(s): Plaseied A; Fatemi A; Coleman M R
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 16
Issue No: No.7

Abstract
The effects of surface treatments of carbon nanofibre and of the carbon nanofibre volume fraction on the mechanical properties of thermoset vinyl ester polymer nanocomposites were examined under tensile and flexural loadings. Highly graphitic carbon nanofibres with surface functional groups provided stronger composites compared with conventional composites as a result of better bonding between fibres and the polymer matrix. Addition of up to 1 wt% of functionalised carbon nanofibres gave a greater increase in mechanical properties compared with the addition of larger volume fraction of carbon nanofibres. Nanocomposites containing oxidised carbon fibres showed a similar stiffness to functionalised fibres at higher temperatures, but the ductility and tensile strength of the former were lower than those of the latter, possibly as a result of poor adhesion between the nanofibres and the matrix. 18 refs.


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