Melt mixing of carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes incorporated polyurethanes

Polyurethane composites filled with carbon fibers (CF) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared by mixing and injection molding, and its mechanical as well as their thermal properties were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and thermal conductivity tests were done, and the properties were evaluated as a function of the filler concentration. The storage modulus of the composites increased with fillers concentration, which also mean the increase of the stiffness, suggest a good adhesion between the polyurethane matrix and the fillers. Addition of more CF and CNT to the composites broadened and lowered the peak of tan delta specifies that the polyurethane composite became more elastic because there is a good adhesion between the fillers and the matrix. The addition of carbon fillers improves the thermal stability of the polyurethane. The inclusions of CNT show a better thermal stability when compared with CF. The addition of carbon fillers also increased the thermal conductivity of the polyurethane composites. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.