Experimental Study of the Water Absorption and Fatigue Life of PMMA/MWCNTs Nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes have special importance due to unique properties as an amplifier phase. In this paper, the effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes on water absorption and fatigue life of poly methyl methacrylate is investigated. To this end, nanocomposites based on polymethyl methacrylate, containing 0-1.5 weight percentage of multiwall carbon nanotubes are produced with screw and injection molding process. The morphology was studied, using scanning electron microscopy. Microscopic images examination showed that carbon nanotubes have been well released in the field of polymer. The fatigue testing of each of the prototypes was carried out under identical conditions. Based on the results of fatigue test, nanocomposite fatigue strength containing 0.5% carbon nanotubes increased than base polymer. Also, based on the results of water absorption test, the existence of multiwall carbon nanotubes in polymer field decreased absorption water of the samples.