Nanocomposites for Extreme Environments

摘要

Nanoscale dispersion of only a few percentage of layered silicate (montmorillonite) in poly(caprolactam) (Nylon 6) results in the formation of a uniform self-passivating inorganic layer upon exposure to extreme environments. This ceramic-like silicate layer provides an overcoat to the nanocomposite, and can significantly retard the penetration of extreme environments into virgin material. This response originates from the large areal density of inorganic afforded by the uniform dispersion (exfoliation) and preferential orientation with respect to the sample surface of large aspect ratio aluminosilicate sheets, and thus should be a general property of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, not only restricted to nylon 6 nanocomposites. Nanocomposite concepts, therefore, should enhance the survivability of polymeric materials in aggressive environments, such as thermo-oxidative, reactive-oxidative, and UV-electron radiation environments encountered in space launch, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO).