Effect of multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and mixing conditions on unsaturated polyester (UP) physical properties

Abstract

Unsaturated polyester resins (UP) are widely used for thermoset composite application, but to increase its mechanical and physical properties, fillers are required. In this study, UP was mixed with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) using mechanical stirrer to improve the mass change after water absorption (WA) and the value of coefficient of friction (COF). The MWCNT was varied at 0.3 and 0.6 wt%, the stirring parameters were also varied with the mixing time at 30 amd 90 minutes, with mixing speed at 500 and 1500 rpm, respectively. The results showed that the mass change after WA test giving 41% increase and COF improved 100%. The improvement on WA and COF might be influenced by high shear energy density, produced by high mixing speed, which might facilitate complete separation of MWCNT.