Reinforcement of carbon/epoxy composites with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and dispersion enhancing block copolymers

The epoxy matrix of the composite was modified with multi-wall carbon nanotubes to improve its matrix dominated properties. The dispersion of the nanotubes within the matrix was enhanced with a commercial block copolymer. A pronounced improvement in matrix dominated properties was achieved. The glass transition temperature of the composite was increased by 39 degrees C, and the compressive and interlaminar shear strengths were increased by 39% and 15%, respectively. (C) 2007 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.