Creep and recovery of epoxy/MWCNT nanocomposites

• Published in: Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Vol. 43; no. 8; pp. 1212 - 1218
• Main Authors: Starkova, O., Buschhorn, S.T., Mannov, E., Schulte, K., Aniskevich, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Thermosetting resin; Applied sciences; B. Creep; C. Analytical modelling; Carbon nanotube; carbon nanotubes; Composites; epoxides; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; nanocomposites; nonlinear models; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers; viscoelasticity; Carbon nanotube; C. Analytical modelling; A. Thermosetting resin; B. Creep; Viscoelasticity; Creep; Epoxy resin; Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Polymer; Creep strength; Modeling; Composite material; Thermosetting resin; Multiwalled nanotube; Non linear model; Nanocomposite; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.03.015

Creep and creep–recovery of epoxy/multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites was studied in a wide range of applied loads in order to evaluate the contribution of nanotubes on the time-dependent behaviour of the epoxy matrix. Incorporation of up to 1wt.% of C150P MWCNTs has negligible influence on the elastic, viscoelastic and viscoplastic response of the epoxy system. No systematic changes of the creep characteristics depending on the content of nanotubes are noticed in the range of stresses from 0.3 up to 0.75 from the ultimate strength. Creep resistance and recovery performance of the epoxy matrix is not negatively affected by the addition of MWCNTs and the same analytical model – Schapery’s nonlinear model – is applicable for the creep description of the nanocomposites. Addition of significant amounts of nanotubes allows using the conventional epoxy system as a material with multifunctional properties without sacrificing their long-term mechanical performance.