Evaluation on the thermal and mechanical properties of HNT-toughened epoxy/carbon fibre composites

Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were effectively incorporated into epoxy resin and used for infusion of carbon fibre textiles, resulting in epoxy/halloysite nanotube/carbon fibre (EP/HNT/CF) multi-scale composites. The distribution of nanotubes in the composites was examined by SEM. The thermomechanical properties of the composites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA). A 25% enhancement was recorded for the storage modulus of EP/HNT/CF composite in the glassy state. Moreover, the T(g) of the laminates increased with the addition of HNT, and the values were even higher than the T(g) of their matrix. Additionally, the Izod impact strength of the composites has been improved. These results indicate a synergistic effect between HNT and carbon fibres. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.