ABSTRACT
Polymeric fibrous composites with nanofillers and polymer nanocomposites are increasingly becoming potential multifunctional materials. The addition of carbon nanotube (CNT) to these systems has futuristic prospects, but with a built-in challenge of critical characterization of newly generated interfaces. The environmental durability of these polymeric base composites has always been a critical concern over its short- and long-term performances. Furthermore, the durability of interfaces in service conditions will complicate the deconvolution approach of assessing the possible nucleating point of potential cracks or threats on the integrity of the structure. The environmental degradation degree is expected to have different mechanisms and kinetics at the interfaces in comparison to the polymer matrix. Differential degradation could possibly attribute to a stressed state in the material, especially at the interfaces. This chapter is focused on the roles of CNT on the interfacial and bulk properties of the resulting polymeric composites. Different techniques of introducing CNTs into the fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been discussed with their modified mechanical properties. Microscopic evidences of various theoretical strengthening and toughening mechanisms have been presented. Further, the effects of various environmental parameters, namely, temperature, moisture, UV, and other high energy radiations on the durability of these nanofiller embedded polymer composites have been discussed.
