REINFORCEMENT OF ENGINEERING POLYMERS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS: DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE EPOXY POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES USING NOVEL 1-, 2-AND 3-DIMENSIONAL INORGANIC NANOFILLERS

摘要

The addition of functional nanofillers in polymer matrices can significantly improve the performance properties or even induce new exotic properties. In the present study, the effect of incorporation of various types of nano-additives such as clays, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide and mesoporous silicas, on the properties of glassy and rubbery epoxy resins was investigated and discussed on the basis of their morphological and nanostructural characteristics. Significant improvements were recorded both in glassy and rubbery nanocomposites, when sufficient dispersion and strong bonding with the polymer chains were achieved. The ultimate technological target is the development of multi-functional epoxy polymer nanocomposites for cryogenic fuel storage and thermal insulation aerospace applications based either on single- or on multi-layer epoxy nanocomposites.