Epoxy composites are widely used in primary aerospace structures, where high impact damage properties are necessary. However, challenges appear when multiple functionalities, including electrical and thermal conductivity, are needed in parallel with increased mechanical properties. The current study aims at the assessment of a critical concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), incorporated in epoxy resin, which will indicate a threshold for optimal electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. For the evaluation of this optimal concentration, electrical conductivity, thermal stability and nanomechanical properties (Young modulus and nanohardness) have been assessed, for epoxy nanocomposites with 0 to 15 parts per hundred resin per weight (phr) MWCNTs. Percolation theory was applied to study the electrical conductivity for different contents of MWCNTs in the epoxy nanocomposite system. Thermogravimetric analysis was employed for the assessment of the epoxy composites’ thermal properties. Nanohardness and elastic modulus were measured, and the hardness versus modulus index was calculated. Emphasis was given to the dispersion of MWCNTs in the epoxy matrix, which was assessed by both microscopy techniques and X-ray micro–computed tomography. A correlation between the optimum dispersion and MWCNTs content in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and nanomechanical properties revealed a threshold concentration at 3 phr, allowing the manufacturing of aerospace structures with multifunctional properties.

In this study nanocomposites consisting of an epoxy resin and ceramic zinc ferrite nanoparticles have been successfully developed and investigated morphologically and structurally by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermomechanical characterization of the fabricated nanocomposites was studied via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and the magneto-dielectric response was assessed by means of a broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and by employing a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Data analysis demonstrates that the incorporation of nanoinclusions into the matrix improves both the thermomechanical and the dielectric properties of the systems, as indicated by the increase of the storage modulus, the real part of dielectric permittivity and conductivity values with filler content, while at the same time induces magnetic properties into the matrix. Zinc ferrite nanoparticles and their respective nanocomposites exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Three relaxations were recorded in the dielectric spectra of all systems; originating from the filler and the polymer matrix, namely interfacial polarization, glass to rubber transition of the polymer matrix and the reorientation of small polar side groups of the polymer chain.

In the present study two sets of nanocomposites consisting of an epoxy resin and BaFe₁₂O₁₉ or SrFe₁₂O₁₉ nanoparticles were successfully developed and characterized morphologically and structurally via scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra. The dielectric response of the nanocomposites was investigated by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy and their magnetic properties were derived from magnetization tests. Experimental data imply that the incorporation of the ceramic nanoparticles enhances significantly the dielectric properties of the examined systems and their ability to store electrical energy. Dielectric spectra of all systems revealed the presence of three distinct relaxation mechanisms, which are attributed both to the polymer matrix and the nanoinclusions: Interfacial polarization, glass to rubber transition of the polymer matrix and the re-orientation of small polar side groups of the polymer chain. The magnetic measurements confirmed the ferromagnetic nature of the nanocomposites. The induced magnetic properties increase with the inclusion of hexaferrite nanoparticles. The nanocomposites with SrFe₁₂O₁₉ nanoparticles exhibit higher values of coercive field, magnetization, magnetic saturation and remanence magnetization. A magnetic transition was detected in the ZFC/FC curves in the case of the BaFe₁₂O₁₉/epoxy nanocomposites.