The incorporation of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) between composites plies has been said to enhance the through-thickness strength, and it can also decrease the risk of interply delamination and reduce crack initiation. Thanks to these high mechanical performances, nano-engineered hybrid composites are seen as promising for highly demanding structural reinforcement applications. This paper is part of a study that focuses specifically on the methodology for transferring VACNTs onto a prepreg surface while maintaining their initial vertically aligned morphology. The chosen method involved bonding the VACNTs’ forest through capillary impregnation of the forest by the prepreg’s resin. Key parameters for an effective transfer and to achieve a partial capillary rise of the resin into the VACNTs will be discussed here.

Nano-engineered prepreg manufacturing: control of capillary rise of resin into VACNTs’ forests
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Impregnation and transfer process
        2.3 Results and discussion
        2.4 Capillary rise
        2.5 Buckling of VACNTs
    3 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Anh Tuan Le(Institut Clément ADER (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, ISAE-SUPAERO, UPS, Campus Jarlard, 81013 Albi, France, Institut Clément ADER (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, ISAE-SUPAERO, UPS, Avenue Edouard BELIN, 31400 Toulouse, France)
• Quentin Govignon(Institut Clément ADER (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, ISAE-SUPAERO, UPS, Campus Jarlard, 81013 Albi, France)
• Samuel Rivallant(Institut Clément ADER (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, ISAE-SUPAERO, UPS, Avenue Edouard BELIN, 31400 Toulouse, France)
• Thierry Cutard(Institut Clément ADER (ICA), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IMT Mines Albi, INSA, ISAE-SUPAERO, UPS, Campus Jarlard, 81013 Albi, France)