Mechanical Properties of PDMS/CNTs Nanocomposites
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Mechanical Properties of PDMS/CNTs Nanocomposites Chung-Lin Wu1,2, Hsueh-Chu Lin1, Chien-Hsin Huang1, Ming-Chuen Yip1, and Weileun Fang1 1 Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, No.101, Sec. 2, Guangfu Rd., Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan 2 Center for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Rm.110, Bldg.8, 321, sec.2, Guangfu Rd., Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan ABSTRACT This study presents the mechanical and electrical properties (including elastic modulus, yield strength and electrical resistance) of PDMS/CNTs nanocomposites. The elastic modulus of pure PDMS and PDMS/CNTs nanocomposites were determined from tensile tests. In addition, a high resistance meter was used to measure the electrical resistances of the PDMS/CNTs nanocomposites. The test specimens of nanocomposites were manufactured using the thermoforming method. There were two recipes used during the thermoforming process: 100 °C for 1 hour, and 150 °C for 15 minutes. The mixtures of PDMS and CNTs were stirred by ultrasonic instrument to prevent polymerization. A feeler gap was used to define the thickness of the specimens. Therefore, the thickness could be controlled within the range of ~100 m. Four different kinds of specimens were investigated, including pure PDMS, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt% and 4.0 wt% CNTs polymeric composites. As for the l00°C recipe, the elastic modulus of pure PDMS, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt%, and 4.0 wt% CNTs were 1.05MPa, 1.17MPa, 1.10MPa and 1.35MPa, respectively. A for the l50°C recipe, the elastic modulus of pure PDMS, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt% and 4.0 wt% CNTs were 1.32MPa, 1.42MPa, 1.43MPa, and 1.54MPa. The differences of electrical resistance of PDMS/CNTs nanocomposites at two different conditions and the microstructures composed of the mixtures are also described in this article. Key words: PDMS/CNTs (polydimethylsiloxane and carbon nanotubes)
INTRODUCTION Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a viscoelastic, rubber and silicon-based organic polymer. PDMS can be bio-compatible with the human body because of its non-toxic and inactive material characteristics. Presently, PDMS has been extensively adopted in biological engineering applications such as micro channels and interconnects [1]. In recent years, PDMS has been used as a casting mold for micro- or nano-contact printing [2]. The mechanical properties of PDMS are so soft and flexible that molds of PDMS affected by gravity produce defects while transforming patterns. To strengthen the mold, it is important to improve the mechanical properties of this material. Many polymers have been added to nanoparticles to improve their properties [3-7]. Based on the reasons mentioned above, the additive carbon nanotubes were mixed with PDMS in this research. Since Iijima [8] discovered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, the studies of carbon nanotubes have attracted the attention of researchers. CNTs possess excellent mechanical and electrical properties of high specific strength, stiffness and electrical conductivity. Xie et al [9] found the average Young’s modulus and tensile
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