Multifunctional Nano-structured Interlayered Polymeric Composite Materials

Paper number

IAC-09.C2.8.4

Author

Mr. Vasileios Drakonakis, GloCal Network Coorporation / F.R.E.E.D.O.M., United States

Coauthor

Mr. Aris Sfakianakis, GloCal Network Coorporation / F.R.E.E.D.O.M., United States

Coauthor

Prof. James C. Seferis, GloCal Network Coorporation / F.R.E.E.D.O.M., United States

Coauthor

Prof. Brian Wardle, Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), United States

Coauthor

Prof. George Papanicolaou, University of Patras, Greece

Coauthor

Prof. Charalambos Doumanidis, University of Cyprus, Cyprus

Year

2009

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced polymeric matrices in the form of layered structures have become an important structural material and process class used in aerospace field. Nevertheless, both from a manufacturing as well as an analysis point of view, lamination processing is expected to supply an apparently homogeneous structure with uniform stress distribution through the thickness of the material. This work presents the concept of a multifunctional material that integrates nano-technologies in the interlayer utilized as enablers for structural composites while also improving through-thickness properties of the composite laminates. These interlayers aim to enhance both manufacturing and performance characteristics of laminated polymer composites. The appropriate implementation of the laminates can be assured through impregnation methods that have been developed and tested in Polymeric Composites Laboratory [2]. Specifically, developed technologies such as carbon nanotubes grown in the z-axis [3, 4], internally reinforced nano-foamed epoxies [1], and others as well as their combinations can be the base material of a well-integrated multifunctional interlayer resulting to an enhanced structural polymer composite. Carbon nanotubes can assure higher toughness and impact strength, while the controlled nano-foamed epoxies are able to reduce the overall weight, but most importantly to prevent crack propagation. Eventually, this effort presents a multifunctional material that can solve weaknesses and potential difficulties that are common in conventional polymer composite aerospace structures.


References:

[1] Ishiguro, K. Karaki, T. Sangari, S.S. and Seferis, J.C. “Epoxy Foams for Polynanomeric Reinforced Composites”, SAMPE Symp., (2004).

[2] Gilbert, E. N., Hayes, B. S. and Seferis, J. C., “Interlayer Toughened Unidirectional Carbon Prepreg Systems: Effect of Preformed Particle Morphology”, Composites Part A: Applied science and Manufacturing, 34, (3), 245 (2002)

[3] García, E. J., Hart A. J., Wardle B. L., and Slocum A. H., “Fabrication of Composite Microstructures by Capillarity-Driven Wetting of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes with Polymers,” Nanotechnology, 18 (16), 165602-165613, 2007.

[4] Garcia, E.J., Hart, J., and B.L. Wardle, “Long Carbon Nanotubes Grown on the Surface of Fibers for Hybrid Composites”, accepted to AIAA Journal, Mar. 2008.

Abstract document

IAC-09.C2.8.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-09.C2.8.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.