Study of the effect of damage on the electrical impedance of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

Within the scope of this work is the study of the effect of damage on the electrical hysteretic behaviour of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. For that purpose CNT reinforced epoxy nanocomposites were subjected to different levels of damage and their response to an AC voltage excitation was monitored. The correlation between frequency dependent impedance properties and level of damage was extensively studied. The AC frequency response of the interrogated specimens from 10 Hz up to 0.5 MHz revealed a strong correlation between the level of damage and the hysteresis of the studied materials.