Investigation of mechanical and electrical properties of hybrid composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and micrometer-sized silica particles

In this study, to enhance the electrical insulation of composite specimens in addition to the improved mechanical properties, the epoxy composite were reinforced with carbon nanotubes and silica particles. Tensile strength, Young's modulus, dynamic mechanical behavior, and electrical resistivity of the specimens were measured with varied contents of the two fillers. The mechanical and electrical properties were discussed, and the experimental results related to the mechanical properties of the specimens were compared with those from several micromechanics models. The hybrid composites specimens with 0.6 wt% of carbon nanotubes and 50 wt% of silica particles showed improved mechanical properties, with increase in tensile strength and Young's modulus up to 11% and 35%, respectively, with respect to those of the baseline specimen. The electrical conductivity of the composite specimens with carbon nanotubes filler also improved. Further, the electrical insulation of the hybrid composites specimens with the two fillers improved in addition to the improvement in mechanical properties.