Mechanical characterization of carbon nanotubes based polymer composites using indentation tests

In this paper, instrumented indentation testing was used to determine the elastic mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polymer composites. A finite element analysis model for simulating micro-indentation test was developed using ABAQUS software and confronted to experimental tests. It seems that CNTs reinforced polymer composites shows an improved of mechanical properties. The microstructure of indentation mark has been evaluated using scanning electronic microscopes and compared with the microstructure of numerical models. It results that adding small amount of CNTs improves the fracture interfacial rigidity and can stop micro-cracks evolution.