Electrical Response of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Nanocomposites Under Static and Dynamic Loading
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
3-1-2012
Abstract
An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading on the electrical response of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. An in-situ polymerization process using both a shear mixer and an ultrasonic processor were employed to fabricate the nanocomposite material. The fabrication process parameters and the optimum weight fraction of MWCNTs for generating a well-dispersed percolation network were first determined. Absolute resistance values were measured with a high-resolution four-point probe method for both quasi-static and dynamic loading. In addition to measuring the percentage change in electrical resistance, real-time damage was captured using high-speed photography. The real-time damage was correlated to both load and percentage change in resistance profiles. The experimental findings indicate that the bulk electrical resistance of the nanocomposites under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions initially decreased between 40%-60% during compression and then increased as damage initiated and propagated. © 2011 Society for Experimental Mechanics.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Experimental Mechanics
Volume
52
Issue
3
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Heeder, N. J., A. Shukla, V. Chalivendra, S. Yang, and K. Park. "Electrical Response of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Nanocomposites Under Static and Dynamic Loading." Experimental Mechanics 52, 3 (2012): 315-322. doi: 10.1007/s11340-011-9488-x.