Multiple liquid impacts on polymeric matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes

The exploration of innovative concepts and advanced materials that effectively can sustain flight conditions are crucial driving elements for the design of future generation aircraft. Particularly in the context of wear, the introduction of carbon nanotube reinforced composites as external surface materials for potential implementation in aeronautics, is gaining a great interest in light of the possible reinforcement effects that these materials can provide. In this study, water droplet impact threshold velocities ensuing in visible surface damage are determined for a selection of polymer matrix composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Results are presented for the damage threshold curves obeying the relationship nu(DT) proportional to Lambda . eta(-beta), where Lambda and beta are experimentally determined upon multiple liquid impacts, using Cavendish Laboratory's Multiple Impact Jet Apparatus (MIJA). The findings of this study convey that carbon nanotube reinforced resins do not exhibit significant beneficial erosion resilience effects with the employed level of carbon nanotube dispersion. Results for development of fracture are further discussed, based on the Hertzian fracture theory and Vickers hardness values of the considered materials. Additionally, theoretical values of material properties are presented, based on experimental acoustic impedance measurements. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.