Prediction method of electrical conductivity of nano-modified glass fibre reinforced plastics

Glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) is non-conductive construction material, however with carbon nanotubes (CNT) modifying it can get additional functionality due to its gained electrical conductivity. Main aim of the study is to check functionality of the prediction method of electrical conductivity of GFRP with nano-modified epoxy matrix using structural approach. GFRP composites under investigation were based on unidirectional (UD) Glass fiber and two matrixes modified with carbon nanotubes. Electrical conductivity of epoxy resin modified by CNT (concentrations < 1%) was modelled using structural approach. Electrical conductivity of unidirectional GFRP layer was measured experimentally and modelled based on conductivity of polymer matrix and assuming non-conductive fibres. It was supposed that epoxy matrix and composite on different structural levels follow the Ohm's law. Two components of tensor of electrical conductivity for monotropic material in main axis of symmetry were calculated for composites by several different ways. Control experiment was performed on a sample of GFRP monolayer cut from the unidirectional plate under different angles. The calculated data are in a good agreement with the experimental values.