Influence of ultrasonic dual mixing on thermal and tensile properties of MWCNTs-epoxy composite

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced epoxy based composites were fabricated by using an innovative ultrasonic dual mixing (UDM) process consists of ultrasonic mixing with simultaneous magnetic stirring. The effect of addition of varying amount of MWCNTs on thermal stability and tensile properties of the epoxy based composite has been investigated. It is found that the thermal stability, tensile strength and toughness of the epoxy base improves with the increase of MWCNTs addition up to 1.5 wt.% and UDM processing at certain capacity of the system. Tensile tests and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on each group of composites containing different amount of MWCNTs to determine their mechanical and thermal properties respectively. The dispersion of 1.5 wt.% MWCNTs fillers in epoxy nanocomposites was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) applied on their tensile fracture surface.