Carbon nanotube layer for reduction of fiber print-through in carbon fiber composites

Abstract

Fiber print-through effect is a limitation to the use of carbon fiber-reinforced composites in space applications, namely, mirror telescopes. Replica method is used for the production of lightweight telescope mirrors. However, this method requires a polished mandrel, increasing considerably the final cost. In this work, we report a cheaper and simpler alternative production method, which consists in the addition of a carbon nanotube filled epoxy resin layer on the surface of carbon reinforced composites, in order to reduce fiber print-through of the materials. The influence of different carbon nanotube functionalizations, concentrations, and dispersion levels are also assessed. The surface properties are evaluated by interferometry (roughness and waviness) and scanning electron microscopy (morphology). The results show that the waviness, roughness, and consequently fiber print-though are considerably reduced with the addition of a thin layer of nonfunctionalized carbon nanotubes.