COMBINED TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE EFFECT ON THE STRENGTH OF CARBON NANOTUBE REINFORCED EPOXY MATERIALS

This study experimentally analyzed the hygrothermal effect on the static and fatigue strengths of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/epoxy composites. The results show that the static and fatigue strengths decreased slightly at 25 degrees C/85% RH environments compared with those tested under the 25 degrees C/60% RH condition. However, the strengths decreased substantially under the 40 degrees C/85% RH condition, indicating that the combined temperature and humidity environments weaken the interfacial adhesion between the CNT surfaces and the epoxy matrix.