Mechanical Performance of Cementitious Composites by MWCNTs Addition for Structural Applications

This paper presents the investigation on the behaviour of a prism reinforced with multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to study mainly the strength and durability aspects for structural applications. Prisms were made by varying the MWCNT content from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of cement. Ultrasonic energy was employed to disperse carbon nano tubes (CNTs) in water. For evaluating mechanical property such as load-deflection, tests were performed on CNT admixed prisms under flexure. The outcomes were then compared with plain mortar prisms. An attempt has also been made to explore the optimum concentration of MWCNT additions that will give ideal performance with respect to mechanical and durability properties. Flexural and compressive strength is enhanced by 25% and 19%, respectively compared to control prisms at 28 days when CNT was used in the cementitious matrix. Both porosity and water absorption are reduced by about 25% at 28 days. Based on the parametric study, a tentative optimum CNT concentration (0.3% by weight of cement) has been proposed. SEM images shows perfect crack bridging mechanism; several of the CNTs were shown as crack arrestor across the fine cracks along with some CNTs breakage.

Improving Dispersion of Recycled Discontinuous Carbon Fibres to Increase Fibre Throughput in the HiPerDiF Process

In order to increase the material throughput of aligned discontinuous fibre composites using technologies such as HiPerDiF, stability of the carbon fibres in an aqueous solution needs to be achieved. Subsequently, a range of surfactants, typically employed to disperse carbon-based materials, have been assessed to determine the most appropriate for use in this regard. The optimum stability of the discontinuous fibres was observed when using the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, which was superior to a range of other non-ionic and anionic surfactants, and single-fibre fragmentation demonstrated that the employment of sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate did not affect the interfacial adhesion between fibres. Rheometry was used to complement the study, to understand the potential mechanisms of the improved stability of discontinuous fibres in aqueous suspension, and it led to the understanding that the increased viscosity was a significant factor. For the shear rates employed, fibre deformation was neither expected nor observed.

Additive-free carbon nanotube dispersions, pastes, gels, and doughs in cresols

Cresols are a group of naturally occurring and massively produced methylphenols with broad use in the chemical industry. Here, we report that m-cresol and its liquid mixtures with other isomers are surprisingly good solvents for processing carbon nanotubes. They can disperse carbon nanotubes of various types at unprecedentedly high concentrations of tens of weight percent, without the need for any dispersing agent or additive. Cresols interact with carbon nanotubes by charge transfer through the phenolic hydroxyl proton and can be removed after processing by evaporation or washing, without altering the surface of carbon nanotubes. Cresol solvents render carbon nanotubes polymer-like rheological and viscoelastic properties and processability. As the concentration of nanotubes increases, a continuous transition of four states can be observed, including dilute dispersion, thick paste, free-standing gel, and eventually a kneadable, playdough-like material. As demonstrated with a few proofs of concept, cresols make powders of agglomerated carbon nanotubes immediately usable by a broad array of material-processing techniques to create desirable structures and form factors and make their polymer composites.

Wet Powder Metallurgy Process for Dispersing Carbon Nanotubes and Fabricating Magnesium Composite

A wet powder metallurgy (WPM) process was developed to disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and to fabricate the CNTs reinforced Mg matrix (CNTs/Mg) composite. The dispersion effect of CNTs were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), respectively. Results showed that the CNTs were homogeneously dispersed on the surface of Mg powder. Adequate bonding and good interfacial interaction between the CNTs and Mg matrix contributed to the efficient load transferring from the CNTs to Mg matrix under a mechanical force. Furthermore, no brittle MgO was formed on the surface and it was beneficial to improving the adhesion of the CNTs to Mg matrix. With 0.5 wt.% CNTs addition, the CNTs/Mg composite experienced remarkable enhancements in tensile stress of 28% and Young’s modulus of 24%. The reasons responsible for these enhancements are suggested as the effective dispersion of the CNTs and the good interface bonding between the CNTs and Mg matrix.

Radio-absorbent Material Based on Polyvinyl Chloride Filled with Disperse Carbon Fibre

The influence of the content of plasticiser and disperse carbon fibre on the radiophysical characteristics of filled film radio-absorbent materials is investigated.

Some Properties of Elastomeric Compositions with High-disperse Carbon Additives

The influence of a carbon nanomaterial obtained in a high-voltage discharge plasma on the endurance of elastomer compositions has been investigated. Complex tests of elastomeric compositions with highly dispersed carbon additives allowed us to confirm the model of nonlinear elastic deformation of macromolecules and adhesion between the elastomer and the nanoparticles. The results of these investigations agree with those obtained in determining the Mooney viscosity and relaxation, the parameters of the vulcanization kinetics of rubber mix, conventional tensile strength, and relative breaking elongation of highly filled rubbers based on butadiene-nitrile caoutchoucs. To verify the assumed mechanism underlying the action of a carbon nanomaterial on elastomer compositions, the parameters of their vulcanizing network have been determined using the method of equilibrium swelling.