Synergistic enhancement of CFRPs: combining CNT-doped thermoplastic veils and SWCNT-modified thermoplastic matrix

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Szymon Demski - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Kamil Dydek - , Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Paweł Durałek - , TMBK Partners Spółka z o.o. (Author)
  • Paulina Latko-Durałek - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Anna Wąsowska - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Rafał Kozera - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Piotr Mądry - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Anna Boczkowska - , Warsaw University of Technology (Author)
  • Rafał Stanik - , Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (Author)
  • Maik Gude - , Chair of Lightweight System Engineering and Multi-Material Design (Author)

Abstract

The multifunctional enhancement of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) is critical for their expanding applications in aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries. This study examines the combined effect of thermoplastic veils doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a polymer matrix modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of CFRPs. Liquid thermoplastic acrylic resin Elium®, modified with 0.02 wt% SWCNTs served as the matrix, while thermoplastic veils based on polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) doped with 1.0 wt% MWCNTs were interleaved into the composite structure. Characterisation revealed that the SWCNTs formed conductive networks in the polymer matrix, enhancing electrical conductivity in-plane (X and Y directions) but not improving it through the thickness (Z direction) due to resin-rich regions introduced by the veils. The impact resistance improved across all the composites, particularly for the PPS-based veils, attributed to effective fibre bridging mechanisms. The glass transition temperature (Tg) also increased due to strong adhesion at the veil-matrix interface and molecular interactions between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. The results highlight the potential of combining nanofiller-modified matrices with thermoplastic veils to achieve tailored multifunctional CFRPs. However, optimising the interlayer resin content remains crucial for further enhancing through-thickness conductivity. These findings contribute to advancing CFRPs for high-performance, multifunctional applications in diverse industries.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-259
Number of pages7
JournalComposites Theory and Practice
Volume24
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-1370-064X/work/176860752
Scopus 85215773572
WOS 001419549500007

Keywords

Keywords

  • CFRP, Elium® resin, thermoplastic veils, CNT

Library keywords