Effect of PEI nano-fibrous membranes containing MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin

Polyetherimide (PEI) nano-fibrous membranes with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)were prepared by electrospinning. The morphology of nano-fibrous membranes was studied by SEM and TEM. The impact and tensile properties of epoxy toughed by nano-fibrous membranes were investigated. The result shows that the toughness of epoxy is improved with the loading of PEI nano-fibrous membranes with MWCNTs. The result of G _IC test shows that interlaminar fracture toughness of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites toughed by PEI nano-fibrous membranes containing 3% mass fraction active MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs) can be highly enhanced.