Abstract
This paper presents results of the processing of nanocomposites based on epoxy and nanofillers, namely multiwalled carbon nanotubes (up to 10 wt%) and carbon black (up to 15 wt%). The twin screw extruded nanocomposites showed increases in electrical and thermal conductivities, tensile strength, microhardness and glass transition temperature. Electrical conductivity increased on the order of 1011 at 10 wt% of nanotubes loading and at 15 wt% of carbon black. Greater increases in thermal and mechanical properties were observed in cases of nanotube-dispersed composites more so than others. SEM and AFM were used to examine the dispersion of the fillers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bangalore (Sanction No. 10/3/547 dated 10-10-2005, Sanction Order No 9/2/125/2005 II dated 08-03-2006, Principal Investigator: Dr. H. N. Narasimha Murthy).