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Formation and mechanical characterisation of SU8 composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned and high volume fraction CNTs

Formation and mechanical characterisation of SU8 composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned and high volume fraction CNTs
Formation and mechanical characterisation of SU8 composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned and high volume fraction CNTs
Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composites have been identified as promising structural materials for the mechanical components of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), potentially leading to advanced performance. High alignment and volume fraction of CNTs in the composites are the prerequisites to achieve such desirable mechanical characteristics. In particular, horizontal CNT alignment in composite films is necessary to enable high longitudinal moduli of the composites which is crucial for the performance of microactuators. A practical process has been developed to transfer CNT arrays from vertical to horizontal alignment which is followed by in situ wetting, realign and pressurized consolidation processes, which lead to a high CNT volume fraction in the range of 46–63%. As a result, SU8 epoxy composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned CNTs and a high volume fraction of CNTs have been achieved with outstanding mechanical characteristics. The transverse modulus of the composite films has been characterised through nanoindentation and the longitudinal elastic modulus has been investigated. An experimental transverse modulus of 9.6 GPa and an inferred longitudinal modulus in the range of 460–630 GPa have been achieved, which demonstrate effective CNT reinforcement in the SU8 matrix.
0266-3538
1301-1308
Jiang, L.
374f2414-51f0-418f-a316-e7db0d6dc4d1
Spearing, S.M.
9e56a7b3-e0e8-47b1-a6b4-db676ed3c17a
Monclus, M.A.
eab76faa-a2c2-444f-91a2-40248b78d35f
Jennett, N.M.
6725f60c-b9c1-4fad-8657-966d45584f80
Jiang, L.
374f2414-51f0-418f-a316-e7db0d6dc4d1
Spearing, S.M.
9e56a7b3-e0e8-47b1-a6b4-db676ed3c17a
Monclus, M.A.
eab76faa-a2c2-444f-91a2-40248b78d35f
Jennett, N.M.
6725f60c-b9c1-4fad-8657-966d45584f80

Jiang, L., Spearing, S.M., Monclus, M.A. and Jennett, N.M. (2011) Formation and mechanical characterisation of SU8 composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned and high volume fraction CNTs. Composites Science and Technology, 71 (10), 1301-1308. (doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.04.017).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composites have been identified as promising structural materials for the mechanical components of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), potentially leading to advanced performance. High alignment and volume fraction of CNTs in the composites are the prerequisites to achieve such desirable mechanical characteristics. In particular, horizontal CNT alignment in composite films is necessary to enable high longitudinal moduli of the composites which is crucial for the performance of microactuators. A practical process has been developed to transfer CNT arrays from vertical to horizontal alignment which is followed by in situ wetting, realign and pressurized consolidation processes, which lead to a high CNT volume fraction in the range of 46–63%. As a result, SU8 epoxy composite films reinforced with horizontally aligned CNTs and a high volume fraction of CNTs have been achieved with outstanding mechanical characteristics. The transverse modulus of the composite films has been characterised through nanoindentation and the longitudinal elastic modulus has been investigated. An experimental transverse modulus of 9.6 GPa and an inferred longitudinal modulus in the range of 460–630 GPa have been achieved, which demonstrate effective CNT reinforcement in the SU8 matrix.

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Published date: July 2011
Organisations: Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp, Engineering Science Unit

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 186205
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/186205
ISSN: 0266-3538
PURE UUID: 82fbcd2c-93f5-4f2d-bc7c-ee1c5014e698
ORCID for L. Jiang: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3400-825X
ORCID for S.M. Spearing: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3059-2014

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 12 May 2011 14:16
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:24

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Contributors

Author: L. Jiang ORCID iD
Author: S.M. Spearing ORCID iD
Author: M.A. Monclus
Author: N.M. Jennett

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