Processing and properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/carbon nano fiber composites

Single wall carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, as well as carbon nano fibers (CNF) are being used for reinforcing polymer matrices. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites have been processed by melt blending, containing two different grades (PR-21-PS and PR-24-PS) of CNF manufactured by Applied Sciences Inc. The amount of nano fibers used was 5 and 10 wt%, respectively. The PMMA/CNF composites were processed into 4 mm diameter rods and 60 μm diameter fibers using small-scale melt spinning equipment. At 5 wt% CNF, composite rods as well as fibers show over 50% improvement in axial tensile modulus as compared to the control PMMA rod and fibers, respectively. The reinforcement efficiency decreased at 10 wt% CNF. The PMMA/CNF nanocomposite fibers also show enhanced thermal stability, significantly reduced shrinkage and enhanced modulus retention with temperature, as well as improved compressive strength. The CNF reinforcement efficiency has been analyzed using the modified Cox model.