Nowadays carbon fiber composites represent the state-of-the-art high-performance materials in terms of outstanding mechanical properties in combination with low densities. Nevertheless, also in those materials, failure mechanisms, e.g., delamination, are occurring. One way to decrease such failures is to implement nanofillers with high aspect ratios into the polymer matrix of the composite, like carbon nanotubes (CNT) or carbon nanofibers (CNF).

 Several dispersion methods exist, that allow excellent dispersion quality. Since most of those are very time consuming, they are not suitable for a scale-up production of CFRP. Thus, finding fast and scalable routes for dispersion, i.e., methods that are also applicable in the industrial sector, with comparable results is still a challenge in this sector.

Recently, we developed an efficient but simple approach to disperse CNT and CNF directly in a low viscous resin– i.e., without the use of additional solvents - through an ultrasonication system. This setup works time-efficient, allows a very simple handling and is thus also suitable for industrial use.