Energy dissipation and high-strain rate dynamic response of E-glass fiber composites with anchored carbon nanotubes

This study explores the mechanical properties of an E-glass fabric composite reinforced with anchored multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNTs were grown on the E-glass fabric using a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition procedure. The E-glass fabric with attached CNTs was then incorporated into resin based composites and compared to similar composites without CNTs. Long and short beam bending tests, uniaxial compression measurements for energy dissipation, high strain-rate Split-Hopkinson pressure bar measurements, and ballistic performance (V50) tests were performed to characterize the mechanical properties of the CNT composites. The CNT composites showed a reduction in interlaminar shear strength by 25.9%. They also showed an increase in the specific energy absorption by 106% at high strain rates and an increase in energy density dissipation by 64.3% after 5 cycles at quasi-static strain rates. In ballistic V50 tests, the CNT based composites showed a higher V50 value by 11.1%. Due to their reduced weight and energy dissipation properties, the direct growth of CNTs on E-glass fabrics incorporated into composites have potential defense applications such as blast protection.