**4.1. Methods for producing composite materials based on a polyimide matrix modified with carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide**

Carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties, as well as a nanometer scale with a high length-to-diameter ratio, which makes them an ideal reinforcing agent for high-strength polymer composites. However, CNTs usually form bundles stabilized by van der Waals forces, which are extremely difficult to disperse in the polymer matrix. The biggest problem in the production of reinforced CNT composites is the efficiency of the dispersion of CNTs in the polymer matrix. There are several methods for dispersing nanotubes in a polymer matrix, such as mixing in solution, melt mixing, electroforming, in-situ polymerization, and chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes.
