Journal of Materials Science, Vol.56, No.2, 1386-1400, 2021
Preparation of small CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)and alignment in carbon fabrics/epoxy composites to improve mechanical and tribological properties
The CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)hybrids were synthesized via a modified co-precipitation method and aligned along the through-thickness of carbon fabrics-reinforced epoxy composites (CFRPCs) by applying a weak magnetic field. The effects of the length, orientation and concentration of CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)on the mechanical and tribological properties of CFRPCs were investigated. The results showed that the modified co-precipitation method decreased the size of Fe(3)O(4)nanoparticles (approximately 10 nm in diameter), promoting the dispersion of CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)in epoxy resin. The alignment of CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)hybrids significantly increased the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and hardness of CFRPCs. The long CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)can more effectively improve the ILSS of CFRPCs compared to short CNTs@Fe3O4. Besides, the addition of aligned CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)hybrids significant improves the tribological properties of CFRPCs. Compared to long CNTs@Fe3O4-reinforced CFRPCs, the short CNTs@Fe3O4-reinforced CFRPCs show the best tribological properties. The properties anisotropy of CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)and high CNTs@Fe(3)O(4)concentration in near surface of CFRPCs are the main reason for the improvement in tribological properties of CFRPCs.