Thermo-mechanical and anti-corrosive properties of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposite fabricated by innovative dispersion technique
By Kumar, Arun; Ghosh, P. K.; Yadav, K. L.; Kumar, Kaushal
Published in Composites Part B: Engineering
2017
Abstract
Abstract To obtain cluster free homogeneous dispersion of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix, variety of strategies were applied. In the present work, we report a systematic approach to obtain a superior level of dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in epoxy by applying simultaneously ultrasonic waves and shear force generated by axial flow impeller. The influence of dispersion of {MWCNTs} on anti-corrosion, mechanical and thermal properties of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposite was investigated. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) studies confirmed cluster free uniform dispersion of {MWCNTs} in epoxy matrix, which lead to enhanced tensile strength by 35%, toughness by 53% and storage modulus by 35% on loading of 0.75 wt% of {MWCNTs} in epoxy. It was found that when mild steel was coated with MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposite (0.75 wt%), the corrosion rate decreased upto 2.5