Improving electrical conductivity of poly methyl methacrylate by utilization of carbon nanotube and CO₂ laser

In this work, the electrical surface conductivity enhancement of injection‐molded multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite by using CO 2 laser processing was studied. Variable input factors are considered as MWCNT concentration (in three levels 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt %), the laser feed angle with the flow direction (in five levels 0°, 30°, 45°, 75°, and 90°), and the cavity machining method that were produced by electrodischarge machining and computer numerical control milling with finishing process. The studies show that the irradiation of laser and utilization of covering gas could enhance the CNT–CNT contacts and the surface electrical conductivity. The morphology of laser‐irradiated surface by using scanning electron microscope certified that the conductive network generated from CNT–CNT contacts can transfer the electrical current. The findings clearly show that the laser feed angle with the flow direction influenced the electrical conductivity. The maximum conductivity (∼ 5.310 × 10 −4 S) was observed at 75°.