In this study, multiscale MWCNT–glass fiber fabric (MGFf) preforms with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed onto commercial E-glass fiber fabric (GFf) was used to fabricate the MGFf multiscale composites. The mechanical properties, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), dynamic viscoelasticity and thermal conductivity of MGFf multiscale composites were investigated using a universal material testing machine, dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer and transient plane source method. Furthermore, the reinforcing mechanisms of MWCNTs on interlaminar adhesion of MGFf multiscale composites were explored using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Compared with the GFf composite, the ILSS and thermal conductivity of MGFf multiscale composites were increased by 40.5% and 55.3%, respectively; both of the tensile and flexural properties of MGFf multiscale composites were significantly enhanced; the glass transition temperature of MGFf multiscale composites was also raised. In addition, the interface thickness was increased with the addition of MWCNTs, and MWCNTs in MGFf multiscale composites behaved as hooked fibers to improve the interlaminar adhesion. The work demonstrates the great promise of MGFf preforms toward practical industrial application in manufacturing multifunctional fiber composites with high strength and modulus, high shear resistance and good thermal conductivity.
Three types of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MCNTs)/glass fiber fabrics (MGf) were prepared by dispersing industrial-grade MCNTs onto commercial E-glass fiber fabrics (GFfs) through an ultrasonic-assisted impregnation deposition method. The multiscale MGf-reinforced composites were fabricated by the vacuum infusion process. The effect of γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) or APS hydrolysis on the MCNT dispersion and the interfacial bonding between MCNTs and glass fiber were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and their flexural stiffness, respectively. The interfacial adhesion of MGf composites was evaluated by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The results indicated that MCNTs on the MGf surface could form an interpenetrating network and act as anchors to interlock glass fiber with epoxy. The initial storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the MGf composites clearly increased, while the first loss factor of the MGf composites decreased by 30.0–45.0% compared with that of the GFf composite. Whether or not APS was hydrolyzed, it helped the MCNTs disperse on the GFf surface by chemical bonds. The ILSS of the multiscale composite with APS-treated MCNTs was enhanced significantly, while that with hydrolyzed APS-treated MCNTs (MGf-h) had a slight increase. APS hydrolysis increased the flexural rigidity of the MGf-h.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.