Abstract:
In this paper, our aim is to evaluate the static and dynamic mechanical properties of
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) terpolymer and its composites with small
compositions of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). Composites of
ABS/MWCNT were fabricated with various MWCNT compositions (3, 5, 10 wt %) in
ABS using twin screw extrusion method. These were then characterised under quasi-static
loading to obtain hardness and elastic modulus using nano-indentation technique. It was
observed that hardness and modulus for 10wt% MWCNT composition in ABS/MWCNT
composites were enhanced by 49% and 61% respectively, in comparison to pure ABS
specimen. The visco-elastic nature of ABS/MWCNT composites was also investigated at
nano scale using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). In the dynamic mode, it was
observed that modulus of 10wt% ABS/MWCNT composite was higher, by nearly 58%
to 75%, for a loading frequency range upto 200Hz, in comparison to that of pure ABS.
Therefore, we could observe, that mechanical properties of ABS composites were
enhanced significantly by comprising them with minor compositions of MWCNTs(upto
10wt%), hence improving the prospects where light weight components made of ABS
material need to be subjected to static and dynamic loading, such as automotive machine
and body parts.
