Multi-Functional Carbon Fibre Composites using Carbon Nanotubes as an Alternative to Polymer Sizing

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) were introduced to the aerospace, automobile and civil engineering industries for their high strength and low weight. A key feature of CFRP is the polymer sizing - a coating applied to the surface of the carbon fibres to assist handling, improve the interfacial adhesion between fibre and polymer matrix and allow this matrix to wet-out the carbon fibres. In this paper, we introduce an alternative material to the polymer sizing, namely carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the carbon fibres, which in addition imparts electrical and thermal functionality. High quality CNTs are grown at a high density as a result of a 35 nm aluminium interlayer which has previously been shown to minimise diffusion of the catalyst in the carbon fibre substrate. A CNT modified-CFRP show 300%, 450% and 230% improvements in the electrical conductivity on the ‘surface’, ‘through-thickness’ and ‘volume’ directions, respectively. Furthermore, through-thickness thermal conductivity calculations reveal a 107% increase. These improvements suggest the potential of a direct replacement for lightning strike solutions and to enhance the efficiency of current de-icing solutions employed in the aerospace industry.

Graphene-based surface heater for de-icing applications

“…16 Currently, bre reinforced polymer composites are increasingly popular in aerospace, automobile and civil engineering industries due to their higher strength and lower weight. 17 However, ice accumulation reduces the advantages that the composite brings to the structure. The electro-thermal system is identied as one of the most promising de-icing systems for polymer composites, as it does not cause delamination and damage to composite structure.…”

Electrically and Thermally Conductive Carbon Fibre Fabric Reinforced Polymer Composites Based on Nanocarbons and an In-situ Polymerizable Cyclic Oligoester

“…Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites exhibit excellent mechanical properties that are comparable to those of structural metals and are much lighter in weight 1 – 3 . For this reason, CFRP composites are widely used as lightweight structural materials, especially for aircraft.…”

Design, Fabrication and Application of Multi-Scale, Multi- Functional Nanostructured Carbon Fibers

“…Similar to the growth of metal oxides, secondary nanostructures composed of the compounds of transition metals and non-metals can also be grown on the surface of carbon fiber to extend CNT 17% in fracture toughness [23] CuO NW 42.8% in tensile strength [36] TiO 2 NR 200.5 45% in tensile strength [37] ZnO NW 209.5% in loss factor [43] ZnO NR 50% in loss factor [44] CNT 300% in conductivity [45] CNT 510% in conductivity [46] CNT 56% in loss factor [47] CNT 69% decrease of crack propagation [48] CNT 18.1 45% in shear strength [49] CNT 127% in impact energy dissipation [50] CNT 30% in shear strength [51] SiO 2 NP 52 44% in shear strength [52] Graphene 173% in shear strength [53] Table 4. Mechanical properties of carbon fiber with different nanostructured materials grown on its surface.…”