Phys.org September 14, 2023 Negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials can be applied to suppress thermal expansion of other materials, forming composites with zero thermal expansion (ZTE). However, the shortcomings (e.g., high density, narrow working temperature window) inherited from various NTE materials hinder the applications of corresponding ZTE composites. An international team of researchers (China, Poland) used modified Cu2P2O7 by reducing oxygen deficiencies, which had a relatively low density and strong NTE over a wide temperature range, to composite with 2024Al. When the volume content of modified Cu2P2O7 was about 50%, the composite Cu2P2O7/2024Al showed ZTE effect, and the linear coefficient […]
Tag Archives: Composite materials
A novel approach for balancing properties in composite materials
Phys.org July 26, 2023 Researchers at Texas A&M University introduced a programmable spray coating process for depositing multiple nanomaterials with tailorable patterns in composite. They showed that such patterns regulate the formation of interfaces, damage containment, and electrical-thermal conductivity of the composites, which is absent in conventional manufacturing that primarily rely on incorporating nanomaterials to achieve specific functionalities. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that increasing the hydrophilicity of the hybrid nanomaterials improved the interactions between the carbon surfaces and epoxy at the interfaces, manifested in enhanced interlaminar and flexural performance. Transitioning from ring to disk created a larger interconnected network leading […]
Researchers develop thin heat shield for superfast aircraft
Phys.org November 13, 2019 Existing heat shields are often very thick compared to the base they protect. Researchers at Florida State University designed a carbon nanotube/phenolic thermal protection layer (TPL) with heat shield functionality while maintaining designed mechanical strength compared to traditional carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) composites. These TPLs were integrated onto the surface of carbon fiber/bismaleimide composites to act as a heat shield for hybrid composites. The TPLs resulted in a 17% decrease of the through-thickness thermal conductivity for hybrid composites. The material retained its flexibility and strength after flame torch test It has the potential to protect […]