INVESIGATION THE INFLUENCE OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND AMORPHOUS CARBON ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THERMOSETTING POLYMERS

Authors

  • Boyan Dochev Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technical University of Sofia, Branch Plovdiv, Center of competence "Smart mechatronic, eco-and energy-saving systems and technologies", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Desislava Dimova Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technical University of Sofia, Branch Plovdiv, Center of competence "Smart mechatronic, eco-and energy-saving systems and technologies", Plovdiv, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3641-4278
  • Filip Ublekov Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Hristo Penchev Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • Nikola Tomanov Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Sofia, Branch Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
  • Yavor Boychev Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technology with Hydroaerodynamic Center, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68302/std2026.vol2.110

Keywords:

amorphous carbon, composites, mechanical properties, MWNTs, thermosetting polymers

Abstract

Composites based on thermosetting polymers (epoxy, polyester and vinylester resins) with integrated carbon particles have been developed. MWNTs and amorphous carbon, a waste product from the production of “green” hydrogen, have been used. The influence of different concentrations (0.02 wt %, 0.06 wt % and 0.1 wt %) of the two types of particles used on the mechanical properties of the developed composites has been studied, a comparative analysis has been conducted. The results of the studies show that the two types of carbon particles used reduce the tensile strength, but increase the hardness and impact toughness of the resulting composite compared to pure epoxy resin. The composite based on polyester resin with integrated MWNTs has reduced impact toughness, but with significantly higher hardness values ​​compared to the resin used. A relative elongation of the newly obtained material was also registered, and at a concentration of 0.02 wt% MWNTs an increase in tensile strength was registered. The addition of amorphous carbon to the polyester resin has a positive effect on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite. Relative elongation, increased hardness, impact toughness, and higher values ​​of tensile strength were registered. The amorphous carbon and MWNTs used are the basis for obtaining a composite with a vinyl ester resin matrix with improved mechanical properties. The different concentrations of the two types of carbon particles contribute to obtaining composites with improved mechanical properties compared to pure resin. In this case, multi-walled carbon nanotubes have a greater influence on the studied characteristics compared to amorphous carbon.       

Supporting Agencies

The authors would like to thank the European Regional Development Fund within the OP “Research, Innovation and Digitalization Programme for Intelligent Transformation 2021-2027”, Project № BG16RFPR002-1.014-0005 Center of competence “Smart Mechatronics, Eco- and Energy Saving Systems and Technologies”

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Published

17.09.2026

How to Cite

[1]
B. Dochev, D. Dimova, F. Ublekov, H. Penchev, N. Tomanov, and Y. Boychev, “INVESIGATION THE INFLUENCE OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND AMORPHOUS CARBON ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THERMOSETTING POLYMERS”, SysTechDev, vol. 2, pp. 73–77, Sep. 2026, doi: 10.68302/std2026.vol2.110.