Materials Chemistry and Physics, Vol.218, 18-27, 2018
Combined effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and lignin on polymer fiber-reinforced epoxy composites
This study is focused on the manufacturing of cost effective fibers that can be used as durable reinforcing materials. Nylon aliphatic polymer was synthesized and conjugated with softwood kraft lignin, multi-wall carbon nanotubes as well as with commercial polymers such as poly(lactic acid) and polypropylene. After the synthesis, the materials were melt spun producing fibers that were characterized in respect of their morphology, structural, chemical and elemental composition. In addition, epoxy composites were manufactured, incorporating the aforementioned fibers, in order to assess their mechanical behavior via tensile testing. The produced composites exhibited improved mechanical properties in respect of ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus. The fiber composites were synthesized via a simple method, which combines chemistry and engineering in a multi-stage experimental process.