Reinforcement of carbon/epoxy composites with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and dispersion enhancing block copolymers

The epoxy matrix of the composite was modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes to improve its matrix dominated properties. The dispersion of the nanotubes within the matrix was enhanced with a commercial block copolymer. A pronounced improvement in matrix dominated properties was achieved. The glass transition temperature of the composite was increased by 39 °C, and the compressive and interlaminar shear strengths were increased by 39% and 15%, respectively.