Investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of different modifiedMWNTs-epoxy nanocomposites

Epoxy resin has excellent mechanical and physical properties, which can be used in coatings, adhesives, and resin matrix composite. But the cured resin is usually friable, their fatigue durability, the thermal stability, and resistance to impact are poor, and the electrical properties are not good enough. Theoretically, the carbon nanotubes addition can improve the mechanical properties and the electrical properties of the epoxy resin greatly, and expand the application of epoxy resin to a larger extent. In this study multiwall carbon nanotubes were modified by acid oxidation as destructive method and feridel-craft acylation reaction as nondestructive method. Nanocomposites of Modified MWNTs and epoxy resins were obtained and their properties were investigated. Results indicate that for mechanical properties both modified MWNTs behave almost similar but thermal conductivity of composites prepared with MWNTs which modified by acylation reaction several times is higher than acid oxidation.