Processing and electrical properties of carbon nanotube/vinyl ester nanocomposites

Vinyl ester resins are often utilized in advanced naval composite structures due to the relatively low viscosity of the resin and the capability to cure at ambient temperatures. These qualities facilitate the production of large naval composite structures using resin infusion techniques. Vinyl ester monomer was synthesized from the epoxy resin to overcome processing challenges associated with volatility of the styrene monomer in vinyl ester resin. In this research we have investigated the use of a calendering approach for dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in vinyl ester monomer, and the subsequent processing of nanotube/vinyl ester composites. The high aspect ratios of the carbon nanotubes were preserved during processing and enabled the formation of a conductive percolating network at low nanotube concentrations. An electrical percolation threshold below 0.1 wt.% carbon nanotubes in vinyl ester was observed. Formation of percolating carbon nanotube networks at low concentration holds promise for the utilization of carbon nanotubes as in situ sensors for detecting deformation and damage in advanced naval composites.