Thermal and Flammability Properties of Glass Fabric/MWCNT/Epoxy Multilayered Laminates

Abstract

Multiwalled Carbon Nano Tube (MWCNT) filled glass fabric reinforced epoxy composites (MWCNT/GEC), and neat GEC were prepared by hand-lay-up followed by hot compression molding method. As per the ASTM standard, specimens were prepared and investigated the influence of the addition of MWCNTs on flammability properties of GEC through the UL-94 vertical flammability test and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) method. The thermal degradation was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the GEC improved upon the thermal stability and fire-retardant properties due to the addition of MWCNTs. It was observed that the 0.3 wt.% MWCNTs-glass fabric reinforced epoxy composite (0.3MWCNT/GEC) exhibits better properties than neat GEC and 0.075 wt.% MWCNT-glass fabric reinforced epoxy composite (0.075MWCNT/GEC) and 0.15 wt.% MWCNT-glass fabric reinforced epoxy composites (0.15MWCNT/GEC). Hence, this material may be suitable for electrical devices and appliances based on the other required properties’ further fulfillment. © 2021, The Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers.