The reinforcing effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRP), which are widely used in automobiles and other fields, was investigated. A homogenization method was employed for scale coupling, and the mechanical properties were systematically compared between the case where CNTs were deposited on the surface of carbon fibers (CF) for interfacial reinforcement and the case where CNTs were dispersed in the matrix. As a result, it was found that when the CNT content was 2.0 vol% or less, interfacial reinforcement by CNT deposition was effective for transverse and out-of-plane shear properties. In addition, when the CNT content was 3.0 vol% or more, matrix reinforcement by CNT dispersion was effective for in-plane and out-of-plane shear properties.
Murakami et al. (Wed,) studied this question.