Reduced Viscosity Nanotechnology Leading to Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Lower Viscosity for Improving Infusion Processing of Composites

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1 Reduced Viscosity Nanotechnology Leading to Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Lower Viscosity for Improving Infusion Processing of Composites W. H. Katie Zhong, PhD Westinghouse Distinguished Professor School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Washington State University, Pullman, WA SPE ACCE September 9-11, 2014 Copyright is reserved by WSU

2 Development Trend of Structural Materials Nano-Modified Composite Materials Mechanical performance enhancements through alloying & heat treatments Isotropic Metal Materials Anisotropic Composite Materials Fiber orientation optimizing effects on strength & stiffness Laminate tailoring for coupled deformations Independent toughness improvements through polymer alloying and controlling phase morphology Broad mechanical property improvements Flammability and solvent resistance enhancements Conductivity and CTE tailoring Inherent color, optical qualities, etc. Multi functionality Zhong, et. al, Major Trends in Polymeric Composites Technology in the book Composite Materials Research Progress, Nova Inc, 2008

3 Nanotech for Property Enhancement of FRCs Ed by H. S. Nalwa, : American Scientific Publishers., Jan 2011

4 Nano-Nectar as Liquid Nano reinforcement (LNR) for epoxy: enhanced performance & reduced viscosity 200 nm Long, curved agglomerated: As-received functionalized GNF-ODA: Uniform Nano Nectar : Liquid Nano reinforcement (LNR) with r-gnfs:

5 Nano nectar and the Nano epoxy Nano Nectar: Liquid Nano Reinforcement (LNR) (Reactive Fibers/BGE) Reactive Fibers Manufacturing Advantages Performance Advantages High quality: Very uniform; Extremely stable ; Easily handling: Simply stirring Epoxy Nano epoxy Mechanical performance Thermal stability Wettability Viscosity 5

6 Manufacturing Advantages High quality: Very uniform; Extremely stable ; Easily handling: Simply stirring Nano Epoxy Performance Advantages Mechanical performance Thermal stability Wettability Viscosity Nano binder Nano matrix Infusion Infusion Light or UV curing Infusion curing curing 6

7 not a simple mixture or common nanocomposite Enhanced mechanical properties: Flexural strength >26%, modulus >20% and breaking strain >30% Fracture toughness >35% Increased thermal properties: Higher Tg 15, lower CTE value Relaxation behavior: Viscosity: Summary: Advantages of Nano epoxy Matrix lower nanofiber loadings (eg. 0.3 wt % r GNFs) Better dimensional stability Lower viscosity 52% Chemorheological properties: Longer gelation time at lower viscosity level without increasing activation energy Good for Resin Infusion Technology for Manufacturing Fiber Composites

8 Summary: Wetting and Adhesion Properties in UHMWPE fiber/nano-epoxy (0.3 wt % r-gnfs) Improved wetting property: Faster wetting rate ( 45%) and Lower constant contact angles ( 20%); Easy for resin infusion; (important for Liquid Molding tech.) Improved adhesion property by microbond tests: Initial debonding force ( 25-40%) Ulti. debonding force ( %); Energy to debonding ( 65%) Improved adhesion property by bundle pullout tests: Initial debonding force ( 36%) Ulti. pullout force ( 27%); Energy debonding ( 65%)

9 Summary --- Nano-epoxy vs. pure epoxy based on Nano nactar Tech Shelf life: >1.5 years; said unlimited (according to the Spirit Aerosystems Co.) Enhanced properties: mechanical, thermal properties Better dimensional stability Lower viscosity: energy efficient for manufacturing composites Longer gelation time at lower viscosity level: good for manufacturing large composite parts Leading to improved composites properties: wetting and adhesion between fibers and resins Improved mechanical and anti-aging properties (UV, hygrothermal) Nano-epoxy is a good matrix candidate for composite materials via infusion tech! 9

10 Various nano resin systems: UV/light curable resins with enhanced adhesion with fibers Conductive nano adhesives and composite matrix materials Composite laminates: Future Work CF/Nano epoxy UHMWPE/Nano epoxy Kevlar fiber/nano epoxy GF/Nano epoxy Hybrid composites Multifunctional nano epoxy materials 10

11 Acknowledgments NASA Grant (NNM04AA62G) NSF CMMI Washington State University Vanderbilt University Spirit Aerosystems Co. Thank You! Questions? Please contact Prof. Katie Zhong Phone: ; 11

ENABLING FASTER RESIN INFUSION PROCESSING of AUTOMOTIVE COMPOSITIES: A NANO-NECTAR TECHNOLOGY LEADING EPOXY TO HIGH PERFORMANCE AND LOW VISCOSITY

ENABLING FASTER RESIN INFUSION PROCESSING of AUTOMOTIVE COMPOSITIES: A NANO-NECTAR TECHNOLOGY LEADING EPOXY TO HIGH PERFORMANCE AND LOW VISCOSITY W.H. Zhong School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering