| Abstract: | The effects of eight different dispersants on the stability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in vinyl ester (VE) resin systems have been systematically analyzed. Suspensions incorporating different amounts of dispersants relative to the concentration of MWCNTs in the VE have been prepared. The resistance to sedimentation of MWCNTs in the resin was investigated by using a centrifugation technique. One dispersing agent (B60H) was found to impart long‐term stability to suspensions of MWCNTs in VE. VE‐based composites reinforced with MWCNTs were prepared using different amounts of the dispersing agent. Tensile tests were performed to analyze the effect of different concentrations of MWCNTs and the use of the dispersing agent in the composites. Fracture surfaces of VE nanocomposites have been analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to elucidate the reinforcing effect of the CNTs. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers |
