Improving dispersion of carbon multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) in epoxy resin composites

Aim: Wang et al in Ref. 10 dealt with the same dispersion problem. We now present what we believe some improvements over and above their achievements. In the full paper, we explain our improvements in some detail; In this abstract, we just add some pertinent remarks to listing the two topics of explanation. The first topic is: Experiments. In this topic, we prepared MWNTs/EP composites by casting molding. Then we test their wear performance with a M-200 Type Chinese wear tester, and use SEM and TEM to characterize their dispersion. The second topic is: Experimental results and their discussion. Its four subtopics are: The effects of MWNTs content on tribological properties of MWNTs/EP composites (Subtopic 2.1), the topological analysis of worn surfaces (Subtopic 2.2), the effects of MWNTs dispersion time on the tribological properties of the composites (Subtopic 2.3) and the effects of ultrasonication method on the tribological properties of the composites (Subtopic 2.4). The experimental results, presented in Figs. 2 through 5 and Table 1 in the full paper, show preliminarily that; (1) The addition of MWNTs can enhance the tribological properties of the MWNTs/EP composites; when the addition is 1.5%, the friction coefficient of the composites is 17.8% lower than that of pure epoxy resin and the wear rate is 91.7% lower; (2) The dispersion of MWNTs has remarkable effects on the tribological properties of the composites; the ultrasonication method and ultrasonication time can raise the dispersion degree of MWNTs/EP composites.