Enhanced electrical, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties of carbon-carbon composites using carbon nanotubes coated carbon textile as reinforcement

In this research work, Carbon-carbon composites (CCCs) were fabricated via carbonization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-coated carbon textile (CNT-CF) reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMCs) preforms at 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 degrees C in a tubular furnace. To obtain CNT-CF, MWCNTs were produced radially on the surface of the nano-nickel particles plated carbon textile at 700 degrees C using catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and C2H2 gas as a carbon source. The effects of CNT coating on carbon textiles were evaluated using FESEM, HR-TEM, XRD, Raman, TGA, and BET analysis. The effects of heat treatment temperatures on CNTs coated and uncoated PMCs manufactured using simple hand-layup method subsequently hot compressing were evaluated through XRD, FESEM, density, electrical conductivity measurement, tensile and flexural test, and viscoelastic properties using DMTA. The CNT coated CCCs obtained at 1500 degrees C exhibited similar to 66, 62, 83, 27, 44, 30, and 36% enhancement in electrical conductivity, storage modulus, loss modulus, tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of CNT coated CCCs, respectively compare to uncoated CCCs. Moreover, substantial enhancement in thermal stability of PMCs and CCCs make CNT-CF as one of the competent alternate reinforcement for the fabrication of structural parts used in high-performance applications.

Automated summary

This research work focuses on fabricating Carbon-Carbon Composites (CCCs) through carbonization of CNT-Coated Carbon Textile (CNT-CF) reinforced PMCs preforms and evaluating the effects of CNT coating on the properties of the composites. The study found that CNT coating significantly enhances electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, making CNT-CF a competitive reinforcement material for high-performance applications.