FUNCTIONALIZED MWCNTS REINFORCED POLYETEHYLENE FIBER COMPOSITE: MECHANICAL STRENGTH CHARACTERIZATION

This article studies about the mechanical strength of different functionalized Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced Polyethylene (PE) fiber composite fabricated by melt spinning. There are four types of CNTs used, which are called as produced, carboxylated, octadecylated, polymer wrapped CNTs. Influence of mechanical drawing (melt spinning) on the mechanical strength of fibers is measured by direct comparison with mechanical strength of bulk type functionalized CNTs polymer composites, which fabricated using hot press. Dispersion and interfacial bonding strength/adhesion of CNTs with PE matrix are investigated through fracture surfaces image analysis. Functionalized CNTs composites show a significant improvement of mechanical strength of pure polymer than non functionalized CNTs polymer composite. Whereas polymer wrapped CNTs polymer composite give the highest mechanical strength in this study. Mechanical strength of bulk composites are significantly increased after mechanical drawing process indicates that melts spinning may influence on the crystallization of polymer. Fracture surface analysis revealed that additional functionalized CNTs enhanced dispersion and interfacial bonding with polymer matrix.