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Abstract:
Glass fiber/Elium acrylic thermoplastic laminate containing various weight fractions of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(Graphistrength MWCNTs) was subjected to tensile, low-velocity impact, and dielectric tests, and compared to a control compos-ite without MWCNTs. The composite materials were manufactured via vacuum resin infusion following manual preimpregna-tion of the reinforcement phase. The results showed that integrating from 1 to 2.5 weight fraction (wt%) of MWCNTs enhancedboth elastic properties and impact resistance. Specifically, the Young's modulus increased by more than 18% relative to thepristine composite. Under impact energies of 40 and 60 J, the MWCNT-reinforced composite exhibited a 15% increase in peakforce, a 16.4% reduction in absorbed energy, and a 30% enhancement in the penetration threshold. Improvement in mechanicalperformance could mainly be due to the good MWCNT–fibers–matrix adhesion which creates strong bonding between glassfibers and MWCNT, thereby improving stress transfer. Concurrently, the composite materials became electrically conductivestarting at 2 wt% of MWCNTs, suggesting a high probability of interconnected MWCNT particles and indicating the percolationthreshold. While 2 wt% can be considered as the optimal MWCNT content for overall properties, an exceptional 680% increase inelectrical conductivity was achieved at 3.5 wt%.

Keywords:
elastic properties, electrical conductivity, Graphistrength MWCNT, impact resistance, laminate composite