Multiscale carbon nanotube-woven glass fiber reinforced cyanate ester/epoxy composites for enhanced mechanical and thermal properties

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was employed as a method to deposite amine - functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNTs) onto insulating woven glass fiber and A-MWCNT-glass fiber layers were prepared. Then multiscale A-MWCNTs-woven glass fibers reinforced cyanate ester/epoxy (GFRP) composites were manufactured using the A-MWCNT-glass fiber layers. Mechanical and thermal properties of the A-MWCNTs reinforced GFRP composites were characterized at different temperatures. Results show that interlaminar shear strength and thermal conductivity of A-MWCNTs composites are significantly improved compared with those of pure GFRP composites. Meanwhile, the reinforcing mechanism was investigated and enhanced interfacial bonding between A-MWCNT, matrix and glass fibers were demonstrated. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.