Non Destructive Testing of carbon nanotube reinforced composite using HTS-SQUID and electromagnetic techniques

The correlation between electrical conductivity and magnetic field response, due to multi-walled carbon nanotubes' (MWCNTs) distribution within the polymer matrix, has been demonstrated using a contactless and non-destructive technique. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, both buckypaper and reinforced epoxy matrix specimens with different nanotube percentages, have been inspected using the eddy current technique based on an HTc SQUID magnetometer. The SQUID magnetic field response, due to the nanotube distribution, has been compared with the thermographic technique results. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of nanotube-reinforced composites and buckypaper has been carried out by using the Van der Pauw method.