Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Epoxy/MWCNT Nanocomposites: Electrical, Thermal Properties, and Electric Heating Behavior

The epoxy–matrix nanocomposite films filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, ~10 nm in out diameter and ~4 μm long) were fabricated by a shear‐dispersing and thermal curing technology. Whereafter, their microstructure, electrical, and thermal properties, as well as electric heating behavior were characterized as a function of MWCNT content. Unlike the electrical improvement filled with MWCNTs, in which an electrical percolation threshold was observed, the thermal properties showed only some improvements as filler content was increased. The electric heating behavior was studied by considering different environmental conditions, temperature response rapidity, and electric heating efficiency. With an aid of temperature data processing software, Flir Reporter, we performed a comparative analysis for the electric heat distribution on prepared nanocomposite and conventional PI‐Kanthal film surface, which demonstrated that the nanocomposite film could provide a more uniform, rapider heating function for deicing application. Moreover, the stable operating temperature (~120°C) for the nanocomposite was determined by cyclic heating–cooling test and dynamic mechanical analysis. Finally, we observed the ice melting process under the action of the electric heating function of the nanocomposite film using an infrared thermal camera. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60: 233–242, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers