Carbon Nano Tube Dispersion Evaluation in B-stage Resin Films

Abstract

An appropriate way to fabricate a hybrid composite containing evenly dispersed carbon nano tubes(CNTs) is to stacking B-stage resin films that contain evenly dispersed CNTs and various reinforcing fiber layers alternatively. In the present study, B-stage resin films are manufactured via shear mixing and three-roll milling. CNT dispersion in resin via these two processes are evaluated by SEM on their fracture surfaces. For more efficient process, the dispersivities are evaluated according to the number of calendering passes. Samples are made for different number of passes during calendering, and their dispersions are evaluated via SEM fractographs as well as by measuring their electrical conductivities. Additionally, the optimal process conditions are obtained by measuring the electrical conductivity and evaluating their dispersivity of the samples prepared by gap mode and force mode.