We report an approach to the development of advanced structural composites based on engineered multiscale carbon nanotube-carbon fiber reinforcement. Electrophoresis was utilized for selective deposition multi- and single-walled nanotubes (CNTs) woven fabric. The CNT-coated fabric panels were subsequently infiltrated with epoxy resin using vacuum-assisted transfer molding (VARTM) fabricate hybrid in which completely integrated into bundles reinforced matrix-rich regions. nanotube/carbon...

Carbon nanotubes were grown directly on carbon fibers using chemical vapor deposition. When embedded in a polymer matrix, the change length scale of relative to results multiscale composite, where individual are surrounded by sheath nanocomposite reinforcement. Single-fiber composites fabricated examine influence local nanotube reinforcement load transfer at fiber/matrix interface. Results single-fiber composite tests indicate that improves interfacial transfer. Selective interface likely...

Carbon nanotubes have been the subject of considerable attention because their exceptional physical and mechanical properties. These properties observed at nanoscale motivated researchers to utilize carbon as reinforcement in composite materials. In this research, a micro-scale twin-screw extruder was used achieve dispersion multi-walled polystyrene matrix. Highly aligned nanocomposite films were produced by extruding polymer melt through rectangular die drawing film prior cooling. Randomly...

The effect of nanotube/nanotube contact resistance on the electrical conductivity carbon nanotube–based nanocomposites is studied. tunneling due to an insulating film matrix material between crossing nanotubes calculated by assuming a rectangular potential barrier in film. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that plays dominant role composites, and maximum distance found be about 1.8nm. Electrical conductivities composites with inplane random distributions follow scaling law critical exponent...

Conducting carbon nanotube networks formed in an epoxy polymer matrix can be utilized as highly sensitive situ sensors for detecting the onset, nature, and evolution of damage advanced polymer-based composites using direct-current measurements (see figure). These results hold promise evaluation autonomic self-healing approaches polymers development enhanced life-prediction methodologies. Supporting information this article is available on WWW under...

The exceptional mechanical and physical properties observed for carbon nanotubes has stimulated the development of nanotube-based composite materials, but critical challenges exist before we can exploit these extraordinary nanoscale in a macroscopic composite. At nanoscale, structure nanotube strongly influences overall focus this research is to develop fundamental understanding structure/size influence on elastic composites. Towards end, model system aligned multi-walled embedded...

Developments in producing nanostructured materials with novel properties have opened up new opportunities which unique functionality can be added to existing material systems. As advanced fiber composites are utilized more frequently primary structural applications there is a key challenge enhance the performance and reliability while reducing maintenance. consequence tremendous scientific technical interest development of techniques for monitoring health composite structures where real-time...

Abstract The expanded use of advanced fiber‐reinforced composites in structural applications has brought attention to the need monitor health these structures. It been established that adding carbon nanotubes is a promising way detect formation microscale damage. Because are three orders magnitude smaller than traditional fibers, it possible for form an electrically conductive network polymer matrix surrounding fibers. In this work, multi‐walled dispersed into epoxy and infused glass‐fiber...

Advances in synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials have opened-up a wide range opportunities for engineering properties polymer systems using nanoscale reinforcements. Development this new class composites, referred to as nanocomposites, has resulted extensive academic industrial research processing, characterization, modeling these materials. The understanding nanocomposite structure/property relationships evolved recent years. This paper reviews advances carbon...

Functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are explored as nanoreinforcement for fiber/epoxy composites. SWNTs functionalized with carboxylic acid groups (SWNT−COOH) dispersed in epoxy and used infiltration of fabric (CF) by the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding technique to fabricate SWNT−COOH/epoxy/CF Mechanical tests demonstrate that incorporation SWNT−COOH improves mechanical performance composites produces a 40% enhancement shear strength at loading 0.5 wt %.

Carbon nanotube/glass fiber hierarchical composite structures have been produced using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) approach for integrating the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into unidirectional E-glass fabric, followed by infusion of epoxy polymer matrix. The resulting composites show a structure, where structural glass fibers, which diameters in micrometer range, are coated with CNTs having around 10-20 nm. stable aqueous dispersions were novel ozonolysis and ultrasonication technique...

A scalable electrophoretic deposition (EPD) approach is used to create novel thin, flexible, and lightweight carbon nanotube-based textile pressure sensors. The sensors can be produced using an extensive variety of natural synthetic fibers. These piezoresistive are sensitive pressures ranging from the tactile range (<10 kPa), body weight (∼500 very high (∼40 MPa). EPD technique enables creation a uniform nanocomposite coating, in 250–750 nm thick, polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized...

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method was used to deposit polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) films onto the surface of individual S-2 glass fibers. By varying processing parameters EPD following Hamaker's equation, thickness CNT film controlled over a wide range from 200 nm 2 μm. exhibited low electrical resistance, providing evidence coating uniformity and consolidation. effect on fiber matrix interfacial properties investigated through microdroplet...