Hierarchical CNTs Grown Multifunctional 3D Woven Composite Beams for Aerospace Applications

Abstract

3D weaving is an innovative approach to eliminate one of the most probable failures as delamination in composites. In this study, two novel approaches of 3D weaving and growing aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) directly onto 3D woven fabrics for creating multifunctional properties is performed. First, 3D woven I-beam shaped fabrics were manufactured by a modified weaving loom using glass fibers and followed by growing CNTs onto these I-beams through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These 3D woven I-beams were then impregnated with epoxy resin creating mechanically robust and electrically conductive structural composites without significant weight penalty. The morphological analysis revealed that vertically aligned fuzzy CNTs are successfully grown approximately at 7.5 micrometer long onto 3D woven I-beam glass fabrics. Electrical conductivities of glass fibers were increased in six orders of magnitude after CNTs growth. A reduction in compressive strength (26%) was observed due to tensile strength reduction of glass fibers after CNTs growth; however, flexural properties were preserved.