Effect of dispersion method on tribological properties of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy resin composites

Epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were synthesized in various ways to examine the effects of dispersion methods on its tribological properties. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were pre-treated in three different ways: no pre-treatment, activation in HNO3, and activation in HNO3 plus application of a coupling agent. The dispersion and mixing methods used were: dual asymmetric centrifuge, sonication, hand mixing. The CNTs were mixed either into the hardener or...