Optimization of mixing process and effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on tensile properties of unsaturated polyester resin in composite materials.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were mixed with Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) using the stir method at high temperatures. The mixing temperature and hardener ratio were optimized based on compression properties and the exothermic temperature. In the experiment, 60 °C and 1 wt.% of Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) were chosen for the mixing condition and catalyst concentration, respectively. MWCNTs with different weight fractions (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 wt.%) were dispersed to investigate the effect of MWCNTs on tensile properties of the UPR, and it was found that 0.1 wt.% of MWCNTs showed the best performance in this range of fiber weight fraction due to a higher strength (42.14 %), modulus (14.33 %) and fracture strain (37.17 %) than pure UPR. The state of dispersion and arrangement of fibers were examined by a Field emission Scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) according to fracture surfaces. Similarly, the FE-SEM also showed better results with 0.1 wt.% of MWCNTs mixed in the UPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]