• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2022

In this study, we study fabrication methods suitable for CNT fibers-based composite. We try to fabricate a composite material using a small amount of CNT fiber preparation of woven fabrics or stitched unidirectional fabrics consisting of CNT fiber is not achievable currently. The composite materials on the basis of CNT fibers have been mainly manufactured filament winding method due to productivity issues and difficulties in composite processes. We develop a new method to prepare CNT fibers-based composite using resin infiltrated CNT fibers-based films. Because CNT fibers have numerous nanopores inside, unnecessary resin can remain after curing and decrease the mechanical properties of the composites. To remove the excess resin, pressure should be applied during the process, but the pressure applied through VaRTM was not enough to remove the excess resin. To obtain the composite with high ratio of CNT fibers, higher pressure using hot press machine and foams next to the resin-infiltrated CNT fibers are necessary. We can obtain the composite having a mass ratio of 58.5 wt% based on the new suggested method and diluted epoxy. The specific strength of the composite reach 0.525 N/tex. This study presents a new process method that can be applied to the manufacturing of CNT fiber composite materials in the future.