Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes/High Density Polyethylene Composites Produced by Extrusion Method

In this study, mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes / high density polyethylene (MWCNT/HDPE) nanocomposite materials produced by method of injection molding have been investigated experimentally. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been incorporated into a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix using twin screw extrusion and injection technique. High density polyethylene, which was reinforced with different percentages (1%, 3% and 5%) of carbon nanotubes, was produced in the form of tensile test bars and then tested. The tensile tests were performed according to ASTM D 638 test standards. The increase in tensile strength as a result of the added carbon nanotube was studied. After the experiments, changes of mechanism at fracture surfaces were examined. Experiments were repeated three times. As a result, it could be inferred that minimum percentage of carbon nanotubes reinforcement should be between 1% - 3%.