Abstract
Novel conductive jute/epoxy laminated composites were fabricated by embedding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the matrix and flocking short carbon fibers between the laminates. A three-dimensional electrical conductive network was generated inside the composites and the electrical resistivity values were measured using a four circumferential probe measurement system. A parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of three different weight percentages of CNTs (0%, 0.025% and 0.1%), two different carbon fiber lengths (150 mu m and 350 mu m), four different carbon fiber flock densities (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 fibers/mm(2)) and two different laminates' orientations ((0-0-0-0)(T) and (0-90-0-90)(T)) on the resistivity values of the composites. Composites with the lowest resistivity value of 0.019 Ohms-m was achieved for 0.1 wt.% of CNTs and 350 mu m with flock density of 2000 fibers/mm(2) for ((0-0-0-0)(T) laminate orientation. The increase in flock length from 150 mu m to 350 mu m significantly decreased the resistivity by several orders because 350 mu m generated better conductive network with neighbouring carbon fibers as well as with CNTs. The flock density of carbon fibers has a dominant effect on 150 mu m long fibers compared to 350 mu m when the flock density increased from 1000 fibers/mm(2) to 1500 fibers/mm(2). Variation of both CNTs weight percentage and laminate orientation did not have significant effect on change in resistivity. The electrical measurement investigation of these novel conductive natural fiber composites will have applications in in-situ damage sensing and structural health monitoring. (C) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers