Optimization of the fabrication conditions and effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the tensile properties of various glass fibers/unsaturated polyester resin composites

• Published in: e-Polymers Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 441 - 451
• Main Authors: Hoang, Van-Tho, Yum, Young-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 25.09.2018
• Subjects: composite; glass fiber; multi-walled carbon nanotubes; tensile properties; unsaturated polyester resin
• ISSN: 2197-4586; 1618-7229
• DOI: 10.1515/epoly-2018-0033

Conventional glass fiber/unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites were fabricated by four layers to verify the optimum fabrication conditions such as the initial curing temperature, fiber changes and vacuum. Before that another optimum condition for stir mixing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into UPR was further investigated based on the initial curing temperature. Exothermic temperature measurements, density measurements, thermo-gravimetric analysis and tensile testing were utilized to identify the effects of these factors on the UPR and composite laminates. Consequently, an initial curing temperature range of 25°C–35°C was recommended to start the polymerization. In addition, the fiber combination and applying vacuum were also represented as the other optimum conditions in composite fabrication. The optimum initial curing temperature was applied for modifying UPR with 0.1 wt.% MWCNTs. Then, all of optimum conditions were used to fabricate glass fibers/modified UPR composites. The higher tensile strength and modulus of fiber combination with the adding of MWCNTs were obtained at 25.29 MPa and 1.39 GPa, respectively. The results indicate that simple MWCNT mixing can be used in industry due to the reduction of the fabrication time and better tensile properties.