Preparation of small CNTs@Fe3O4 and alignment in carbon fabrics/epoxy composites to improve mechanical and tribological properties

• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-020-04885-z
• Publication Date: 2020-10-14T21:02:26Z
• Authors: Zhe Tong; Hailin Lu; Feifei Guo; Wenxing Lei; Mochen Dong; Guangneng Dong
• Keywords: 0203 mechanical engineering; 02 engineering and technology

The CNTs@Fe3O4 hybrids were synthesized via a modified co-precipitation method and aligned along the through-thickness of carbon fabrics-reinforced epoxy composites (CFRPCs) by applying a weak magnetic field. The effects of the length, orientation and concentration of CNTs@Fe3O4 on the mechanical and tribological properties of CFRPCs were investigated. The results showed that the modified co-precipitation method decreased the size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (approximately 10 nm in diameter), promoting the dispersion of CNTs@Fe3O4 in epoxy resin. The alignment of CNTs@Fe3O4 hybrids significantly increased the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and hardness of CFRPCs. The long CNTs@Fe3O4 can more effectively improve the ILSS of CFRPCs compared to short CNTs@Fe3O4. Besides, the addition of aligned CNTs@Fe3O4 hybrids significant improves the tribological properties of CFRPCs. Compared to long CNTs@Fe3O4-reinforced CFRPCs, the short CNTs@Fe3O4-reinforced CFRPCs show the best tribological properties. The properties anisotropy of CNTs@Fe3O4 and high CNTs@Fe3O4 concentration in near surface of CFRPCs are the main reason for the improvement in tribological properties of CFRPCs.