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Nanocomposites based on epoxy and a mixture of clays and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced by casting, and also molded by RTM using glass fibers as reinforcement, yielding a hybrid multi-scale micro/nanocomposite material. Two types of montmorillonite clays were used, natural (MMT-Na) and organophilic (MMT-30B). Higher viscosity was obtained for the mixture with MMT-30B and it was observed that this clay did not perform as well as the MMT-Na in helping the dispersion of the carbon nanotubes (CNT). The glass transition temperature (T g ) of the nanocomposites increased in up to 6 °C with the addition of MWCNT and up to 10 °C with the addition of MMT-30B, differently from the MMT-Na which did not alter the T g of the material. By transmission electron microscopy, it was verified that more homogeneous dispersions and more intercalated structures were obtained with the MMT-30B than with the MMT-Na. Finally, the low clay content used and, especially, the very low MWCNT content, did not significantly alter the studied flexural properties.

This work is focused on the development and evaluation of manufacturing methods to produce short fibers hybrid mats. Different methods were developed, including: aqueous and fluidized bed. Composites were molded to help evaluating the produced mats. The analysis showed that composites manufactured by the fluidized bed method presented the best mechanical properties.