FUEL CELL PLATE MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE

FUEL CELL INSTITUTE

UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA

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Abstract

Proceedings of the Regional Engineering Postgraduate Conference 2009
20-21 October 2009

Comparatives Study of Electrical and Hardness Property on CNT/Epoxy Nanocomposites by Casting and Compression Molding Process

Hendra Suherman¹ ,  Jaafar Sahari¹ and Abu Bakar Sulong²

¹ Fuel Cell indtitute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia

² Department of Mechanical & Material Engineering, Faculty of Built Environment , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia

henmeubh@yahoo.com, jaafar@eng.ukm.my, abubakar@eng.ukm.my

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcement filler and epoxy as matrix on the electrical and hardness properties by casting and compression molding process. The different CNTs concentrations (0 ~ 10 wt. %) were added into the epoxy resin. The dispersion of CNTs in epoxy resin was conducted by high speed mixer through mechanical shearing mechanism. The mixture of CNTs/epoxy suspension was poured into the mold, casting and compression molding process was conducted for fabrication of CNTs/epoxy nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity and hardness property of nanocomposite by variation of CNTs concentration was measured by the four point probe and dynamic ultra micro hardness tester, respectively. Agglomeration of CNTs in epoxy matrix was observed on fractured surface by scanning electron microscopic.  Non conductive epoxy polymer becomes conductor as addition of CNTs. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposite plates were continue increased by increasing CNTs concentration, got it’s peak on 10% CNTs addition (2.279 S/cm for compression molding and 2.5128 S/cm for casting process). Hardness property of epoxy nanocomposites both processes were continue increase and reached the highest value at 5.0wt% CNTs addition,  while more addition decreased it.  

 Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, electrical property, hardness property, casting, compression molding