Influence of Fiber Orientation on Mechanical Properties in Thin-wall Injection molding of Carbon Nanofiber Composites

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are expected to be a new functional material. We studied Polypropylene (PP) matrix composites filled with vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs and VGNFs) for applications of micro–scale products were fabricated by thin–wall injection molding. Young's modulus and tensile strength of the molded specimens were measured and the effects of thickness are discussed. As a result, though Young's modulus and tensile strength of VGCF/PP composite do not increase in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5mm in thickness in comparison with those of neat PP, VGNF/PP composites increases with decreasing thickness of specimens. Then from SEM observation, it is found that there are high density and highly oriented layer near the surface.