Carbon Nanotubes as Fillers

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been drawing much attention as fillers for composites because they have extraor-dinarily high strength, elastic moduli, flexibility and aspect ratios as well as superior electrical and thermal properties. In this article, author review the studies on composites fabricated with CNTs and resin, metal or elastomer matrices including the latest researches on CNT-filled aluminium composites and elastomer composites. When CNTs were uni-formly incorporated in elastomers, isotropic enhancement in their tensile strength and moduli were observed. The flow phenomena at high temperatures disappeared in non-cured rubber matrix composites and thermoplastic elas-tomer matrix composites with uniform CNT dispersion. These CNT reinforcements are thought to be applicable for producing high efficiency rubber products and their recycling.