Conductive behaviors of carbon nanofibers reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

By means of ultrasonic dispersion, carbon nanofibers reinforced epoxy resin composite was prepared in the lab, the electrical conductivity of composite with different carbon nanofibers loadings were studied, also the voltage-current relationship, resistance-temperature properties and mechano-electric effect were investigated. Results show that the resistivity of composite decreases in geometric progression with the increasing of carbon nanofibers, and the threshold ranges between 0.1 wt%–0.2 wt%. The voltage-current relationship is in good conformity with the Ohm’s law, both positive temperature coefficient and negative temperature coefficient can be found at elevated temperature. In the course of stretching, the electrical resistance of the composites increases with the stress steadily and changes sharply near the breaking point, which is of importance for the safety monitor and structure health diagnosis.

Keywords

carbon nanofibers / positive temperature coefficient / negative temperature coefficient, mechano-electric effect

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