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Title: The influence of different dispersion methods on the size of the aggregate of CNTs in epoxy resin for the manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced composites

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4949733· OSTI ID:22609181
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Industrial Engineering DIIn, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 – 84084 Fisciano (Italy)
  2. Carbures Europe SA Tecnoparque “Bahía de Cádiz”-Road El Puert-Sanlucar km 5.5 N4 Ingeniería Street El Puerto de Santa María PC 11500 Cadiz (Spain)

Different industrial mixing methods and some of their combinations (1) ultrasound; (2) stirring; (3) (4) by roller machine, (5) by gears machine (6) Ultrasound radiation + high stirring were investigated for incorporating Multi walled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into a resin based on an aeronautical epoxy precursor, cured with 4,4′ diamine-dibenzylsulfone (DDS). The effect of different parameters, ultrasound intensity, number of cycles, type of blade, gears speed on the nanofiller dispersion were analyzed. The inclusion of the nanofiller in the resin causes a drastic increase in the viscosity, preventing the homogenization of the resin and a drastic increase in temperature in the zones closest to the ultrasound probe. To overcome these challenges, the application of high speed agitation simultaneously with the application of ultrasonic radiation was used. This allows on the one hand a homogeneous dispersion, on the other hand an improvement of the dissipation of heat generated by ultrasonic radiation. A comprehensive study with parameters like viscosity and temperature was performed. It is necessary a balance between viscosity and temperature. Viscosity must be low enough to facilitate the dispersion and homogenization of the nanofillers, whereas the temperature cannot be too high because of re-agglomerations.

OSTI ID:
22609181
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1736, Issue 1; Conference: 8. international conference on times of polymers and composites: From aerospace to nanotechnology, Naples (Italy), 19-23 Jun 2016; Other Information: (c) 2016 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English