Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites: a review from preparation to processing

http://staff.ulsu.ru/moliver/ref/polymers/pott11.pdf

Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites

A review on polymer–layered silicate nanocomposites

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/768408.pdf

Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites

Recently, polymer nanocomposites reinforced with lower volume fraction of nanoceramics and carbon nanotubes have attracted steadily growing interest due to their peculiar and fascinating properties as well as their unique applications in commercial sectors. The incorporation of nanoceramics such as layered silicate clays, calcium carbonate or silica nanoparticles arranged on the nanometer scale with a high aspect ratio and/or an extremely large surface area into polymers improves their mechanical performances significantly. The properties of nanocomposites depend greatly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of nanofillers, and the way in which they are prepared. The uniform dispersion of nanofillers in the polymer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving desired mechanical and physical characteristics. In this review article, current development on the processing, structure, and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with respective layered silicates, ceramic nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes will be addressed. Particular attention is paid on the structure–property relationship of such novel high-performance polymer nanocomposites.

Structural and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites

Herein a new polymer processing method called Melt-Mastication (MM) is demonstrated as a method to fabricate Isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) with improved thermal and mechanical properties. Melt-Mastication is a low temperature mixing technique that subjects molten iPP to chaotic flow under simultaneous cooling, promoting flow induced crystallization (FIC). The resulting materials demonstrate an unusual crystal morphology that is highly crystalline by thermal calorimetry (57% crystallinity), melts at a temperature 10.3 K higher than conventionally processed iPP, and demonstrates melt memory after annealing at 200 °C. The crystal morphology by polarized optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy appears to be comprised of largely disorganized lamellae, with possible ordering in local regions. Melt-Masticated iPP demonstrates improved mechanical properties in compression, specifically compressive modulus (+77%) and strength (+40%). The enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to aspects of the crystal morphology produced

Melt Mastication of Isotactic Polyproyplene for Improved Thermal and Physical Properties

It is generally recognized that fiber-reinforced laminated composites are susceptible to damage resulting from low-velocity impacts. Over recent years, many strategies have been devised to increase the fracture toughness of resin matrix materials with the aim of improving the composites overall resistance to impact damage. One popular strategy for enhancing the fracture toughness of thermosets involves increasing its molecular weight between crosslinks which, in turn, enhances the resins ductility. In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of this toughening approach with regard to resisting damage in composite laminates subjected to lowvelocity impacts. Generic damage characteristics and mechanisms are reviewed and it is shown that two different events occur during the impact process. First, the laminate experiences a local failure which resembles a Hertzian fracture process followed by subsequent delamination between the plies. Results are presented illustrating the effects that systematically increasing the molecular weight between crosslinks of the resin has on each of these mechanisms. Also, the residual compressive strength (Compression After Impact) of the laminates made with these resins is presented.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1946427400276604

Alan J. Lesser

Papers

Melt Mastication of Isotactic Polyproyplene for Improved Thermal and Physical Properties

Evaluation of Impact Damage Resistance in Laminated Composites Using Resins with Different Crosslink Densities