Strength and Fracture of a Multifunctional Polystyrene Nanocomposite

Abstract

A polystyrene polymer has been reinforced with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to effect multifunctional capabilities. The SWNTs are produced by the HipCo process and are subsequently dispersed in the polystyrene resin matrix. The dispersion of the SWNTs in the polystyrene is enhanced by the use of a surfactant and composite samples at 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2% 0.3% and 1.0% SWNT by weight are made. A multifunctional material is defined as a material with at least one additional property other than mechanical properties, and the desire is that the mechanical properties are not deteriorated due to the added nano-constituents. In this study SWNT reinforced polystyrene nano-composites are evaluated for their electrical conductivity as a function of SWNT weight percentage. The reinforced polystyrene nanocomposites are then evaluated for static strength, ductility and fracture properties to determine the effect of the nano-constituents on these mechanical properties.