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Please cite this article as: Prolongo, S.G., Gude, M.R., Ureña, A., Improving the flexural and thermomechanical properties of amino-functionalized carbon nanotube/epoxy composites by using a pre-curing treatment, Composites Science and Technology (2011), doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2011 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ABSTRACT:A prior thermal (pre-curing) treatment of mixtures of epoxy monomer and amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was used to promote a chemical reaction between the matrix and the reinforcement, favouring the formation of a strong interface. Samples of epoxy resin and different weight percentages of amino-functionalized multi-walled CNTs were prepared with and without the pre-curing treatment (150ºC, 1 hour). The degree of dispersion of the nanofiller was better when this pre-curing treatment was used. This allowed a higher CNT content while keeping a high sample homogeneity. Without the pre-curing step, the addition of CNTs increases both the flexural strength and strain to failure by 45%. Moreover, with the pre-curing step, the nanocomposite with 0.25 wt % CNTs presents an increase of flexural strength by 58% and strain to failure by 68% regard to neat epoxy

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