Fabrication And Characterization Of SWCNT- Reinforced Polyester Nanocomposites Using Tensile Test And Nanoindentation Techniques

¹Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

²Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, 80778 Taiwan

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2015, 6 (8), pp 711-716

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2015.5821

Publication Date (Web): Aug 02, 2015

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: shuang@cc.kuas.edu.tw

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to conduct a manufacturing experiment on a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/polyester nanocomposite for characterization of its mechanical properties using a tensile test and nanoindentation techniques. Experimental specimens were made under identical conditions using the hot press process. Dispersion of SWCNTs in an unsaturated polyester matrix was conducted by a sonication method, and a high-speed shear mixer was used for mixing the curing agent and resin. Following the manufacturing of the SWCNT/polyester nanocomposites, characterization of the mechanical properties of the material was performed by tensile testing and nanoindentation techniques. In addition, the morphologies of the fractured surface of SWCNT/polyester nanocomposites were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of mechanical tests exhibit improvements of Young’s modulus and hardness by 35% and 29%, respectively, at 1.0 wt% SWCNTs. In addition, the elastic modulus determined by the nanoindentation technique differs from the one obtained from tensile tests by 16%. The experimental samples are expected to yield the novel promising materials that offer a low-cost, high-strength material for use in the manufacture of lightweight components for automobiles, transportation systems and consumer products.

Keywords

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), unsaturated polyester, nanocomposite, tensile test, nanoindentation.