Three dimensional orientation angle distribution counting and calculation for the mechanical properties of aligned carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

This paper presents effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) orientation angle distribution on elastic moduli of aligned CNT/epoxy composites that were fabricated with various volume fractions using hot-melt prepreg method. Tensile testing was conducted to evaluate the composites’ mechanical properties. The composites’ Young’s moduli increased with increasing CNT volume fraction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed CNT orientation angle distribution data for the surface and through-thickness planes. The standard deviation of CNT orientation angle distribution was about 30° for the surface, and 22.5° for the through-thickness plane. The effective Young’s modulus of CNT was estimated using the equivalent inclusion theory (Eshelby/Mori–Tanaka theory) incorporating a three-dimensional CNT orientation distribution function. The CNT Young’s modulus was approximately 800 GPa, which agrees with reported theoretical and experimental values.