Fabrication of carbon nanotubes dispersed woven carbon fiber/epoxy composites and their damping characteristics

Damping characteristics of carbon nanotubes dispersed woven carbon fiber/epoxy composites were investigated. The composites were fabricated by an advanced resin film infusion prepreg manufacturing process based on the calendaring process using three-roll mill. Through this advanced process, well-dispersed nanocomposites containing high weight percent (up to 7 wt%) of carbon nanotubes was achieved. It was confirmed through the scanning electron microscopic images of the carbon nanotubes dispersed composites. Damping characteristics of the specimen were measured by the impact vibration test of the composites beam specimens. Considerable improvement of damping characteristics was observed in the carbon nanotubes dispersed composites, and structural damping increased as the weight percent of carbon nanotubes was increased. Damping ratio was improved up to 12.3% (at the 1st natural frequency) and 16.1% (at the 2nd natural frequency), especially in the 7 wt% carbon nanotubes dispersed specimen. Tensile test was performed to investigate the effects of carbon nanotubes on the tensile properties. The tensile stiffness of carbon nanotubes dispersed composites was similar with the conventional composites; however, tensile strength was degraded.