Effect of ultrasonication on the cryogenic tensile properties of carbon nanocoil/poly-dicyclopentadiene composites

Cryogenic tensile properties of carbon nanocoil (CNC)/poly-dicyclopentadiene (poly-DCPD) composites have been investigated experimentally. Flat tensile specimens of CNC/poly-DCPD composites with 1.0 and 1.5 vol.% CNCs were fabricated by an ultrasonic method and tested at room temperature (RT) and liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). The effect of ultrasonication time on the cryogenic tensile properties of CNC/poly-DCPD composites was discussed. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also used to observe the fracture surface morphology of CNC/poly-DCPD composites. Results indicated that the tensile strength of CNC/poly-DCPD composites at RT and 77 K is affected by ultrasonication time and there is a trade-off between improving dispersion and damaging the CNC.