The properties of dry-spun carbon nanotube fibers and their interfacial shear strength in an epoxy composite

Continuous fibers composed of carbon nanotubes have been adopted as reinforcements for polymeric composites. This paper presents several fundamental studies relevant to the mechanical behavior of CNT fibers, including fiber tensile behavior; in situ SEM observation of fiber deformation mechanisms; and fiber modulus, ultimate strength and fracture strain measurements. A modified Weibull strength distribution model that takes into account the flaw density variation with fiber diameter has been adopted for the statistical strength analysis. The interfacial shear strength between the carbon nanotube fiber and the epoxy matrix has been measured using fragmentation tests of single-fiber composites.