Exploring Multifunctional Potentials of Carbon Nanotube-Epoxy-Glass Fibers Composites: Mechanical and Microwave Absorption Properties

In this work, we explored the multifunctional potentials of multi-walled carbon nanotube-epoxy-glass fibers composites. We aimed to enhance the mechanical properties of these microwave absorption composites. We investigated the tensile strength, morphologies, dielectric permittivity, and electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption properties (in a frequency range from 1 to 26 GHz) of the composites. The tensile strength of the composites was enhanced to about 400 MPa, which is comparable to that of commercial Aluminum alloy 6061 (about 300 MPa). The mass density of the MWCNT-Epoxy-GF composites was found to be around 1.6 g/cm³, while Aluminum alloy 6061 has a mass density ~ 2.7 g/cm³. Further, with the increased loadings of MWCNTs, the composites show excellent EM wave absorption performance and high reflection loss. This suggests that the composites may have the multifunctional potential as microwave absorption materials and also as structural components.<gdiv></gdiv><gdiv></gdiv><gdiv></gdiv><gdiv></gdiv>