(398b) Mechanical Properties of Vapor Grown Carbon Nanofiber and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube – Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites

The exceptional mechanical and thermal properties of vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCFs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have led to their extensive use as reinforcing agents in fabricating nanocomposites. However, difficulties in achieving good nanomaterial dispersion and interface interaction between the nanomaterial and polymer matrix have hindered the performance of the final nanocomposites. This has led to considerable research being focused on alternate routes of nanomaterial incorporation. Resin infiltration of the nanomaterial bucky paper is one such method. It involves layers of highly entangled sheets of nanomaterial, made by filtering nanomaterial dispersion in a solvent, infiltrated with resin usually assisted by vacuum. The effect of VGCF and SWNT bucky paper on the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin infiltrated nanocomposite was studied. In addition, the effect of multiple layers of VGCF and SWNT bucky papers on the properties of the final nanocomposite was also analyzed.