Strength of reinforced composites with carbon nanotubes: an experimental study

The mechanical and physical unique characteristics of Carbon nanotubes (CNT) such as high elasticity module with low density have caused these materials to find remarkable stand in research. In this paper, the effect of various weight percentages of multi-wall CNT on tension strength of composites, containing polyester matrix and glass fibers, has been investigated experimentally. By making three samples with different percentages of CNT, their tensile strengths are studied. The first and the second samples include 1.6% and 0.8% CNT, respectively, and the third one does not include CNT. For investigating tension strength and failure strain of samples, Santam tension test machine, has been used. Results show that for making the samples in the same environmental conditions, the composite samples with 0.8% CNT enjoy the finest tension strength characteristics. Surprisingly, the sample including 1.6% CNT characteristically reduced in its tension strength and stood in the second level. Also in 1.6% CNT considering a double-fold increase in the amount of CNT in their matrix, no more improvement in its strain-tension graph was observed. In the end, composites without CNT found the third place in tension strength among mentioned samples.