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Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (24 February 2020) | Viewed by 13052

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ana Martins Amaro

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Guest Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: composites structures; nanocomposite; structural integrity; finite element analysis; biomechanics; impact; non-destructive analysis; mechanical properties
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the last few years, polymer matrix composites have become one of the most interesting research fields due to their good specific properties. These materials are extensively used as metal substitutes in several applications, such as aircraft, automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, civil construction, electronic devices, textiles, machinery, and inclusively under hard working conditions, due to their unique combination of properties. However, the polymeric matrix is the constituent with lower strength, and this disadvantage can be overcome with the inclusion of nanoparticles. The inclusion of a small percentage of nanoparticles, such as TiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZnO, Ag, clay, CNTs, etc., in polymer matrices significantly increases the mechanical, thermal, and physical properties compared to pure resin. However, the agglomeration of nanoparticles during nanocomposites manufacture can decrease their mechanical properties. The formation of particle agglomerates during their inclusion into a polymeric matrix and their non-uniform dispersion have motivated research to find the best techniques, or to develop the existing ones, to avoid these problems. The curing agents used during nanocomposites manufacture can also have a significant influence on their mechanical properties and on their final cost.

In this context, this Special Issue intends to increase the state-of-the-art related with nano-enhanced resins and their manufacture processes. For this purpose, experimental and numerical studies are welcome.

It is my pleasure to invite you to publish your original research contributions and reviews in the Special Issue, ‘Polymeric Composite Reinforced with nanoparticles’, of Applied Sciences.

Dr. Ana Paula Betencourt Martins Amaro
Guest Editor

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Keywords

curing agents
mechanical testing
mechanical properties
nanocomposites
nanoparticles
nondestructive techniques
polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
numerical evaluation.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3070 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Surface Properties of Nanoalumina-Filled Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites

by Deesy Pinto, Ana M. Amaro and Luís Bernardo

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10030733 - 21 Jan 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2330

Abstract

This article presents an experimental study on the surface properties of epoxy resin nanocomposites (EPNCs) manufactured with a thermosetting epoxy resin (EP)–bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE)–2-[[4-[2-[4-(Oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]propan-2-yl]phenoxy]methyl]oxirane) and filled with alumina nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs consist of pretreated (with a silane agent) alpha alumina with irregular shapes and a 100 nm maximum size. Three weight fractions of NPs were studied: 1, 3, and 5 wt. (%). Two different epoxy (EP) resins were manufactured, one cured and postcured with bis (4-aminophenyl) methane (DDM); and another one cured with 3-dodec-2-enyloxolane-2,5-dione (DDSA) + 8-methyl-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-2-benzofuran-1,3-dione (MNA). The wettability and the surface roughness of the obtained EPNCs were studied through the measurement of contact angles and topographic images obtained with atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Significant influence of both the loading of NPs and used curing agents was observed. EPNCs cured with DDM were shown to be hydrophobic for 0, 1, and 3 wt. (%) and hydrophilic for 5 wt. (%). Maximum surface roughness was observed for 5 wt. (%). EPNCs cured with DDSA+MNA were shown to be hydrophilic for 0 and 1 wt. (%) and hydrophobic for 3 and 5 wt. (%). The surface roughness decreased as the weight fraction of NPs increased until 3 wt. (%), and then increased for 5 wt. (%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles)

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14 pages, 3218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fire Properties of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Enhanced with Organic Montmorillonite and Exolit Fire Retardant

by Tudor Mihai Simionescu, Alina Adriana Minea and Paulo Nobre Balbis dos Reis

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(24), 5433; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245433 - 11 Dec 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4513

Abstract

In this paper an experimental investigation on fire retardancy of a new polymer nanocomposite derived from organic montmorillonite and exolit fire retardant in an acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene copolymer by analyzing the flammability and fire behavior is described. The samples were prepared by melting and mixing nanocomposites and fire retardant in different concentrations in an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene base polymer. It was found that using only one component (organic montmorillonite or fire retardant) the burning stops in 10 s on the sample. Confirmation of synergy in flammability by combining both montmorillonite and flame retardants was noticed and is discussed regarding the flame-retardant mechanisms assessed by means of the Limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, and cone-calorimeter methods. The acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene preparation with 15–20 wt% fire retardant and 1–2 wt% organic montmorillonite reached a UL-94 V-0 classification, contrasting with the pure acrylonitrile- butadiene-styrene and the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene with 15 wt% fire retardant and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene with 1–2 wt% organic montmorillonite formulations, which completely burned. Finally, the samples showed a very good synergy going to a higher reduction of the peak heat release rate and to a minimum mass reduction, as obtained from cone calorimeter tests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles)

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14 pages, 5367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Analysis on the Application of Polymer Matrix Composites Containing Al₂O₃ for Automotive Lamp Reflector

by Young Shin Kim, Jae Kyung Kim, Seung Jun Na and Euy Sik Jeon

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(21), 4525; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9214525 - 25 Oct 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2624

Abstract

As automotive lamps are highly integrated, the heat generated from bulbs reduces the light quantity and lifespan of the bulbs. Numerous studies have been actively conducted worldwide on heat dissipation designs and material modifications for heat release. In this study, an analysis was carried out of the mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) and Polyamide (PA6) matrix composites containing alumina filler; further, their flowability and injection moldability were also studied. The PA6 matrix that was subjected to an addition of 60% alumina was selected as the sample. To compare the performances of the selected composites with that of the fog lamp reflector manufactured with conventional PBT, fog lamp reflectors were fabricated. When 60% alumina was added, the thermal conductivity was improved. Thus, the maximum temperature of the lamp reflector was reduced, and the heat was transferred to the surroundings; this was in contrast to the fog lamp reflector fabricated with conventional PBT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles)

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Review

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14 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanical Properties of Sandwich Composites Reinforced by Nanoclays: An Overview

by João Parente, Paulo N. B. Reis, M. Neto and A. M. Amaro

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(7), 2637; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10072637 - 10 Apr 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3162

Abstract

Structural sandwich composites have been widely used in many engineering applications, and this trend continues due to their superior mechanical properties, thermal insulation and acoustic damping. However, to further improve their mechanical properties, literature reports significant benefits obtained with nano-reinforcements. In this context, nanoclays are the most popular nano-reinforcements for polymeric nanocomposites, due to their relatively high ion exchange capacity, high aspect ratio and economic advantages. In order to stablish a systematic understanding for design criteria, this work intends to summarize all studies present in the open literature about this topic. It was possible to conclude that using nanoclays improves the mechanical properties of structural sandwich composites, especially in terms of impact strength. Nevertheless, the benefits obtained regarding fatigue performance are not adequately reported in the literature, revealing the need to develop these studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Composites Reinforced with Nanoparticles)

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