Damping response of composites beams with carbon nanotubes

Damping response of composite beams with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been studied carrying out free vibration tests. Simple and sandwich beams are manufactured with aluminum, epoxy resin and different types of CNTs. For comparison purposes, sandwich and simple beams with neat epoxy resin were also made and tested. 5 wt% of CNTs is added as filler in the epoxy matrix in all cases. Damping ratio is obtained by means of logarithmic decrement and half-power bandwidth method. Short aspect ratio multiwalled non-functionalized nanotubes are found to be the most effective for improving damping properties in both types of beams.