| Summary: | Carbon nanotubes are commonly utilized in fabrication of hybrid composite
laminates in order to manufacture lightweight composites. In this research, the multiwalled
carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was incorporated in glass fibre reinforced
epoxy laminated composites by different methods. The MWCNT incorporated was
either in the form of buckypaper (CNT sheet) or attached onto the glass fabrics by
spreading and spraying methods. Buckypapers with MWCNT loading varied from
150 mg to 300 mg were prepared by vacuum filtration method at 30 kPa and 40 kPa
pressures. Based on the characterization of the buckypaper, buckypaper which
contained 150 mg of MWCNT and vacuum filtered at 30 kPa pressure was selected
to be incorporated into the composite system. It was found that hybrid composites
incorporated with epoxy-filled buckypaper (CNTBPE) improved the flexural
strength by 63 % and 41 % higher compared to 3-ply GF/epoxy (3GF) and 4-ply
GF/epoxy (4GF) laminated composite, respectively. However, incorporation of
MWCNT by using buckypaper was unable to increase the glass transition
temperature (Tg) of the hybrid composites. In fabrication of ink-facilitated MWCNT
hybrid composites, it was found that 5.6 vol % was the optimum loading of the
Chinese black ink in order to improve the dispersion and attachment of MWCNT
onto the glass fabrics. Flexural strength and modulus of the hybrid composite of 1.4
vol % CNT and 5.6 vol % ink loading (CNT1.4/INK5.6) was increased by 106 %
and 14 % compared to 4GF, respectively. However, insignificant increment in Tg is
observed using this method. On the other hand, incorporation of 0.6 vol % of
MWCNT by spreading method in ink-facilitated hybrid composites (CNT0.6) has
improved the flexural strength and modulus by 219 % and 17 % higher compared to
4GF, respectively. CNT0.6 exhibited the highest mechanical properties with
improved thermomechanical properties. Significant improvement in impact strength
and interlaminar shear strength was also observed in CNT0.6. The spreading method
was found to be the best method among other methods utilized it throughout this
research. Such improvement in mechanical and thermomechanical properties showed
that fabrication lightweight hybrid composites with enhanced performance have been achieved.
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