Investigation of the Effective Reinforcement Modulus of Carbon Nanotubes in an Epoxy Matrix

Polymer nano-composite matrix could be the ideal solution for a new generation of composite materials. The continuous demand for new high performance polymer composite for various applications, in different industrial sectors, has lead many researchers to investigate the potential use of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nano-reinforcements of polymer matrix for the manufacturing of traditional laminate composite. This chapter is divided into three main sections. In the first part, the available experimental data concerning the effect on mechanical behaviour of CNTs as nano-fillers will be presented and analyzed; in the second part, a survey of modelling attempts for this property will be presented in order to highlight the major features of reinforcement mechanisms due to CNTs. The last part of the chapter will present a further development of a simple rule-ofmixture based model which accounts for different fundamental features such as contacts and waviness of nano-reinforcing elements within a polymeric system