Pronacom

A Fundamental Study of the Processing-Structure-Properties of Nanocomposites for Industrial Application

Nano materials and technologies in a wide range of fields (e.g. materials, biology, electronics, etc.) have been studied and developed intensively in the past years. Polymer nanocomposites, nano materials incorporated into a resin are gaining acceptance in the mainstream of plastics, although few commercial materials are already available in the market. Emerging nanocomposite technologies could indeed be the "superstar" of the plastics industry through the next few decades. They offer tremendous opportunities in a very broad range of markets through significant enhancement of composites performances.

Potential benefits of nanocomposites include higher heat resistance, increased stiffness, lower permeation rate, easy flow characteristics, dimensional stability, good appearance and lower heat release rate during combustion.

The term "nanocomposite" describes a two-phase material where one of the phases has at least one dimension in the nanometer (10-9m) range.

This project addresses specifically the development of fundamental relationships between processing and structural properties for nanocomposite materials.

This is to be achieved in two ways: One path is purely scientific and its aim is to produce basic research on nanocomposite properties and characteristics. The other path is dedicated to the possibility of being able to modify and adapt the traditional available technologies for composites in order to transfer the technology so that they are compatible with the nanocomposite materials.

The development of an integrated approach to the production of a nanocomposite part is the way the project objectives will be addressed. Taking into account all the phases in the production of a nanocomposite part it will be possible to optimise the quality of the part and the efficiency of the process.

The introduction of new nanocomposites for automotive components made with the direction addressed in this specific project will present several innovative concepts with respect to the previously employed reinforcing agents.

The objective of the project is to look at both thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems and review the performance enhancement and depreciation to discover market sectors where composite materials may be used commercially instead of traditional materials. The composite industry as a whole would benefit from these developments in a number of ways; these include longer life of the components especially in corrosive environments, higher thermal stability of components, increased scratch resistance and some increased mechanical properties.

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