Mechanical characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes-polycarbonate composites

Present study is aimed to examine through experiments the mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polycarbonate (MWCNT-PC) composite. Composites of MWCNT-PC were prepared by a two-step method of solution blending followed by compression molding. Multiwall carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) compositions in polycarbonate (PC) were varied by weight from 0.5% to 10%. Nano-indentation techniques were used to evaluate mechanical properties like elastic modulus and hardness. A marked increase in the elastic modulus (up to 95%) and hardness (up to 150%) has been observed even with the addition of small quantity (up to 2 wt%) of MWCNTs. The increase in mechanical properties is found to supplement earlier experimental investigation of these composites using dynamical impact through Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) instrument. Better load transfer property of MWCNTs, larger surface area and interaction between reinforcement with base matrix are the suggested reasons for this increase in mechanical properties. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.