Effect of incorporation of carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of epoxy-amine composites

In this work, the effect of incorporation of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the dynamic mechanical properties of epoxy-amine composites for structural applications was investigated. The composites were prepared by dispersing MWCNTs into an epoxy resin based on TetraGlycidyl-MethyleneDiAniline (TGMDA) and both epoxy precursor and composite were cured with 4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS). Morphological investigation by atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicates efficient dispersion of MWCNTs in the thermosetting matrix. The dynamic mechanical properties show very high values in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature. The incorporation of MWCNTs induces an increase in the storage modulus and a change in the curve profile of tg _ suggesting a small fraction with lower mobility due to a different degree of crosslinking. A more effective curing cycle allows to compensate this drawback due to the inclusion of nanofiller inside epoxy matrix.