The influence of MWCNTs on fracture toughness properties of MWCNTs/Nickel-Pitch Fibers/epoxy composites (MWCNTs/Ni-PFs/epoxy) was investigated according to MWCNTs content. Nickel-Pitch-based carbon fibers (Ni-PFs) were prepared by electroless nickel-plating. The surface properties of Ni-PFs were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). The fracture toughness of MWCNTs/Ni-PFs/epoxy was assessed by critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical strain energy release rate (GIC). From the results, it was found that the fracture toughness properties of MWCNTs/Ni-PFs/epoxy were enhanced with increasing MWCNTs content, whereas the value decreased above 5 wt.%. MWCNTs content. This was probably considered that the MWCNTs entangled with each other in epoxy due to an excess of MWCNTs.

Keywords: Pitch Fibers, Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), Electroless Nickel-plating, Epoxy Composites, Fracture Toughness