On the mechanical characterization of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy adhesives

Highlights: • We examine the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy adhesives. • We identify a critical nanotube concentration that results in the largest improvements. • Critical concentration is shown to be a result of nanotube agglomeration. • Rheological assessments indicate that agglomeration is due to increased resin viscosity. - Abstract: In this work, the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy adhesives are investigated experimentally. The investigations are intended to characterize the physical and mechanical properties of nano-reinforced structural epoxy adhesives and to further highlight some of the complex phenomena associated with these materials. We describe the dispersion methodology used to disperse the carbon nanotubes into the considered adhesive and provide details pertaining to adherent surface preparation, bondline thickness control and adhesive curing conditions. Furthermore, the following tests are described: (i) dogbone tensile testing, (ii) tensile bond testing, (iii) double lap shear and (iv) double cantilever beam fracture toughness testing. The experimental observations indicate a critical carbon nanotube concentration in the vicinity of 1.5 wt% that results in the largest improvements in the measured properties. At concentrations exceeding this critical value, the properties begin to degrade, in some cases, to levels below that of the pure epoxy. Advanced electron microscopy techniques and rheological assessments indicate that this is mainly due to the agglomeration of the carbon nanotubes at higher concentrations as a result of increased resin viscosity and the consequent resistance to dispersion