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Títol: Characterization of Epoxi based Composite with Carbon Nanotubes


Director/a: SALAN BALLESTEROS, MARIA NURIA

Departament: CEM

Títol: Characterization of Epoxi based Composite with Carbon Nanotubes

Data inici oferta: 30-05-2012     Data finalització oferta: 30-01-2013



Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    Tipus: Individual
     
    Lloc de realització:
    UPC
        Departament: 702- CIÈNCIA DELS MATERIALS I ENGINYERIA METAL·LÚR
     
    Segon director/a (UPC): PAGÈS FIGUERAS, PEDRO
     
    Paraules clau:
    Carbon Nanotube, Composite, nanocomposite, epoxy matrix,
     
    Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
    Reinforcement materials such nylon or carbon fiber in short lengths are commonly used to increase the mechanical properties of polymers. The improvement is achieved due to the load transfer between the matrix and the reinforcement. Ajayan et al. [1] note that with polymer nanocomposites, properties related to local chemistry, degree of thermoset cure, polymer chain mobility, polymer chain conformation, degree of polymer chain ordering or crystallinity can all vary significantly and continuously from the interface with a reinforcement into the bulk of a matrix material. The addition of nanotubes due to its larger interfacial area, which can reach 100 – 1000 m2/g, and similar segment structure between C-C covalent bond of the polymer, would produce improvement in the mechanical properties of a matrix material using small percentage of reinforcement.
     
    Overview (resum en anglès):
    This dissertation exposes the characterisation of a nanocomposite made of epoxy resin
    with carbon nanotubes. The project involves the production of the materials and the
    fabrication of the specimens to be tested thermally and mechanically.
    The aim of this work is to show the thermal and mechanical improvement achieved in the
    epoxy resin by the incorporation of a small amount of carbon nanotubes. The experiment
    will show special interest in the study of the thermal characteristics of the nanocomposite.
    There have been insufficient studies about thermal properties on carbon nanotube-epoxy
    materials with low percentage of carbon nanotube reinforcement. Therefore, the data
    gathered in this study will help to improve the knowledge of the thermal behaviour of this
    type of materials.
    The initial stage of the project is focused in the development of the methodology to be
    followed during the characterisation. This part will be also destined to carry out a research
    on nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes and epoxy resins. The methodology developed for
    the characterization was based on the guidelines given by the American Society for
    Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards for composite materials. The second part of the
    project covers the fabrication of the specimens and its thermal and mechanical
    characterisation. The results obtained will be exposed using graphic aids and tables.
    Finally, the last part of the report will be destined to the analysis of the data collected
    during the tests, and the production of conclusions.
    The results obtained from the thermal characterisation, performed using DSC and thermo
    gravimetric analysis, showed modifications in the thermal properties of the epoxy resin.
    Light changes in the temperature of the glass transition and the activation energy were
    detected. The mechanical characterisation performed using tensile, flexion and impact
    test, showed an increment in tensile and flexural strength due to the addition of CNs in the
    epoxy resin.
    The great interest from the industry in developing new polymer materials with improved
    properties, enhance the relevance of the topic presented.


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