Fabrication and Characterization of High Temperature Resin/Carbon Nanofiller Composites

As part of ongoing efforts to develop multifunctional advanced composites, blends of PETI-330 with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNF) were prepared and characterized. The effect of nanofiller loading level on melt viscosity was determined. The resulting powders were characterized for degree of mixing, thermal, and rheological properties. Select samples were scaled up for processing and continuous strands of nanocomposites were extruded. Based on the characterization results, samples containing 10 and 15 wt% MWCNT and 30 and 40 wt% CNF were scaled up to ∼300 g and used to fabricate moldings 10.2 cm × 15.2 cm × 0.32 cm in size. The moldings were fabricated by injecting the mixtures at 260–280 °C into a stainless steel tool followed by curing for 1 h at 371 °C. The tool was designed to impart substantial shear during the injection process in an attempt to achieve some alignment of nanofillers in the flow direction. Moldings were obtained that were subsequently characterized for thermal, mechanical, electrical and EMI shielding properties. The degree of dispersion and alignment of nanofillers were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Preparation and preliminary characterization of PETI-330/MWCNT and PETI-330/CNF composites will be discussed.