Creep mitigation in composites using carbon nanotube additives

A major limitation of thermosetting epoxy based polymeric materials in long-term structural applications is mechanical creep. Here it is demonstrated that single-walled carbon nanotube additives in low weight fractions (0.1-0.25%) are effective in limiting the load-induced re-orientation of epoxy chains, resulting in a significant slowing of the creep response. Nanotube additives could therefore be the key enabler for the long-term higher-temperature application of polymeric structures which would otherwise fail by excessive creep deformation. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.