Fibre reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Fibre reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Vlasveld, D.P.N.

Picken, S.J. (promotor)

Applied Sciences

2005-10-11

In this thesis the results are described of the research on a combination of two types of composites: thermoplastic nanocomposites and continuous fibre composites. In this three-phase composite the main reinforcing phase are continuous glass or carbon fibres, and the matrix consists of a polyamide 6 / layered silicate nanocomposite. To be able to produce and understand this new type of thermoplastic composite, the properties of the nanocomposite matrix materials have been investigated, followed by an investigation of the properties the new three-phase composite. The influence of the following parameters on the properties of the nanocomposites is studied: the type and concentration of the layered silicate, the surface modification of the particles, the type of polyamide and the testing temperature. The measured properties are the modulus, strength, toughness, moisture diffusion, melt viscosity and adhesion with the fibres. The moduli, diffusion coefficients en viscosities are related to the shape, size and degree of dispersion of the particles using various models. Based on the properties some nanocomposites have been selected and used as matrix for fibre composites. The flexural strength of the fibre composites with nanocomposite matrix has been measured over a large temperature range and with different amounts of absorbed moisture. Compared to normal PA6 fibre composites the strength is increased with more than 40% at elevated temperatures. The temperature at which these composites can be used at equal strength increases by 40-50 C. With the use of nanocomposites as matrix the properties of fibre composites can be strongly improved without any changes in the processing conditions.

nanocomposites
thermoplastic fibre composite
hybrid composite
layered silicate
polyamide 6

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Institutional Repository

doctoral thesis

(c) 2005 D.P.N. Vlasveld