Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
The micromechanical behavior of randomly-oriented epoxy/SWNT composites has been investigated by using Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the shift of the nanotube Raman G' band with composite strain has been monitored. It has been demontrated that there is a strong interface and good stress transfer between the epoxy matrix and SWNTs up to about 0.4% strain but at higher matrix strains the interface appears to break down. By comparing the data in a cyclic deformation experiment, the detailed behavior of carbon nanotube composites can be determined, such as the efficiency of stress transfer and interface breakdown.