Study on the Properties of Carbon Reinforced Unsaturated Thermoset Polyester Resin Nanocomposites

Abstract

The recent emergence of nano science and nano technology has added another dimension to the staple of the modern composite technology. In this study, the composites were prepared from unsaturated polyester with excess of ethylene glycol UPER loaded with various contents of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and carbon black nanoparticles (CNP) at different wt %. Transmission electron microscope TEM of MWCNT and CNP indicated the dimension of the nano filler. The samples have been examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mechanical test, electrical test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR spectra confirmed the physical and chemical bond formations between nanofiller and matrix. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness for MWCNT and CNP nanocomposites were investigated at room temperature. The results showed that tensile strength and hardness shore D were improved with MWCNT than CNP filler and reached their optimum values when loaded with concentration 0.04% for both MWCNT and CNP. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites with MWCNT was obtained to be higher than those with CNP at the same filler content due to the ability of MWCNT to forms a three-dimensional conductive network within the matrix, hence electron can tunnel from one filler to another and in doing so, it overcomes the high resistance offered by insulating polymer matrix. The thermal stability of UPER/MWCNT and CNP was enhanced compared to that of unfilled UPER.

Keywords: multi wallcarbon nanotubes; carbon nanoparticles; unsaturated polyester; nanocomposites; mechanical properties; dielectric properties; thermal properties