Strengthening of poly (ethylene terephthalate) by filling with short glass fibers and multi-wall carbon nanotubes

The effect of hybrid filling of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with short glass fibers (GF) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of composites, as well as the structural features and rheological behavior of melts were investigated. Compounding materials was carried out by the PET melt blending with the use of the reaction extrusion method. The studied composites contained from 15 to 60 wt. % GF, the concentration of MWCNTs was 0.5 and 1.6 wt. %. It was shown that the PET hybrid filling led to a synergistic increase in the strength, the elastic modulus and the dynamic shear modulus of composites under tension and bending in a wide temperature range. MWCNT additives intensified interfacial adhesion, had a nucleating effect on the crystallization of the binder, and increased its thermal stability.