Influence factors on the tensile properties of MWCNT buckypaper/epoxy composites

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) buckypaper was prepared using vacuum filtration method. The tensile properties and fracture morphology of buckypaper reinforced different kinds of epoxy resin composites were analyzed. The effects of the MWCNTs content, matrix tensile properties and interfacial adhesive effects between buckypaper and the resin matrix on the composites tensile properties were investigated. The results show that the tensile properties of composites increase considerably with increasing content of MWCNTs when the MWCNTs mass fraction is lower than 39.1%. The tensile properties of buckypaper/epoxy resin composites are also closely related to the properties of resin matrix, of which the toughness and brittleness have obvious effects on the tensile failure mode of the composites as well. Comparatively speaking, the influence of the adhesion work between the buckypaper and the resin matrix is not significant.