Electrical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of CNT Treated Prepreg CFRP Composites

Abstract

This study is part of Smart Intelligent Aircraft Structures (SARISTU) project, which aims considerable improvements in aircraft damage tolerance, electrical conductivity and weight reduction besides producibility in industrial scale. In this study, the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotube reinforcement on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of T800/M21 carbon fibre reinforced plastic is studied experimentally. T800/M21 is a commercial prepreg carbon fibre/epoxy composite material considered for CNT treatment by means of CNT-doped thermoplastic-based dry powder. The CNTs are deposited on top of prepreg material uniformly using a controlled spraying machine selecting the best state-of-the art and innovative performing technology from the candidate technologies within the project. The electrical conductivity of the composite material with/without CNT is measured in longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions. The changes occurring in the electrical conductivity of the composite materials are investigated. In order to investigate thermal behaviour of the composite materials, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses are performed. Detailed thermal analysis is conducted for with/without carbon nanotube reinforced material to obtain the thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal expansion coefficient of the material. Finally, the effect of carbon nanotube reinforcement on mechanical behaviours is studied by tensile, bending and shear tests.