Improving Fiber/Matrix Interface in composites through Electrophoretic Deposition

In order to improve the interlaminar properties of glassreinforced polymers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have beenutilized as nano scale reinforcing agents in the compositestructure. Chemically modified glass texture surfaceincorporated with a smooth layer of CNTs throughelectrophoretic deposition (EPD). The attached CNT filmformed strong chemical bonds with glass fibers in thefibers/matrix interface. Grafted CNTs act as nano anchorsbetween polymer and fibers to improve the compositeinterlaminar performance. The interlaminar shear strengthof best EPD modified glass texture-epoxy composites hasbeen increased by 42% regarding control samples and 10%improvement achieved in their quasi static indentationsstrength. Results unveil the salient influence of EPDparameters like suspension concentration, electric field andprocess time on CNT’s deposition mass. The effect of fieldstrength was around 8.5 times, but the effect ofconcentration was around 5.5 times. Stable processes willresult in satisfying CNT deposition.Keywords: Electrophoretic Deposition