FLOW OF CARBON NANOPARTICLE LOADED EPOXY RESIN IN LIQUID MOULDING E.F. Reia da Costa 1* , A.A. Skordos 1 , I. K. Partridge 1 and A. Rezai 2 1 Composites Centre, Cranfield University MK43 0AL, UK 2 BAE Systems, Advanced Technology Centre BS34 7QW, UK *e.f.r.costa@cranfield.ac.uk SUMMARY The Resin Transfer Moulding of carbon and glass epoxy composites containing various types of carbon nanoparticles is investigated. The work focuses on the influence of nanoparticles on flow, the filtration of the nanofiller, and the potential of incorporating these effects in process models. Keywords: resin transfer moulding (RTM), nanoparticles, dispersion, filtration, flow INTRODUCTION The introduction of nanometric scale particles in polymeric matrices led to the development of nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received immediate and growing attention since their discovery by Iijima [1] due to their high electrical conductivity, combined with an attractive mechanical and thermal properties and a very high aspect ratio. The transfer of these unique properties to the polymer nanocomposites remains a challenge. A homogeneous and stable dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the polymer medium is necessary in order to achieve adequate transfer of their advantageous properties to the nanocomposite. Nanotubes tend to form aggregated structures due to their high surface area, which reaches values higher than 1000 m 2 /g [2]. Both physical and chemical dispersion methods have been used to obtain satisfactory and stable suspensions. Some of the most common physical dispersion methods are ultrasonication, shear mixing and triple roll milling. In terms of chemical dispersion techniques, CNT surface functionalisation, polymer wrapping and surfactant assistance promote the chemical bonding of nanotubes to the polymer [3]. The use of nanocomposites as part of high performance components in the aerospace industry necessitates the incorporation of nanoparticles within continuous fibre, usually carbon, composites. Current research on the subject focuses on the production of nanoparticle loaded fibre reinforced composites employing and adapting existing manufacturing processes. Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) have been used for the production of composite coupons and relatively larger scale structural elements [4-7]. In order to make the processing feasible the content of nanotubes was limited below 0.3 wt.% Although the use of effective dispersion methods of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix can lead to stable