Performances of epoxy-based composites with multi-wall carbon nanotubes and acrylic tri-block copolymer

Abstract In order to overcome the weakness of the epoxy-amine network, the acrylic tri-block copolymer (BMG) and the functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared in this article. The curing reaction, rheology, thermal and mechanical performance of epoxy-based composites with BMG and MWCNTs were respectively investigated in this study. The curing schedule of the epoxy-based composites was ascertained by using non-isothermal DSC analysis. The rheological analysis showed that the processing time of composites was over 60 min under the processing temperature window from 75 to 200 °C. The mechanical performance of the epoxy-amine network was improved after introducing the dispersed MWCNTs and BMG. In comparison with the neat epoxy-amine network, the tensile strength and impact strength of the composites with the addition of 7.1 wt.% BMG and 0.4 wt.% MWCNTs increased by 11.25 and 36.4%, respectively. Graphical Abstrac