The purpose of this book is to summarize the basic chemical aspects for obtaining multifunctional carbon nanotube-based polymer composites, but also to highlight some of the most remarkable advances that occurred in the field during the last recent years.
Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers: From Nanoscale to Macroscale addresses the advances in nanotechnology that have led to the development of a new class of composite materials known as CNT-reinforced polymers. The low density and high aspect ratio, together with their exceptional mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, render carbon nanotubes as a good reinforcing agent for composites. In addition, these simulation and modeling techniques play a significant role in characterizing their properties and understanding their mechanical behavior, and are thus discussed and demonstrated in this comprehensive book that presents the state-of-the-art research in the field of modeling, characterization and processing. The book separates the theoretical studies on the mechanical properties of CNTs and their composites into atomistic modeling and continuum mechanics-based approaches, including both analytical and numerical ones, along with multi-scale modeling techniques. Different efforts have been done in this field to address the mechanical behavior of isolated CNTs and their composites by numerous researchers, signaling that this area of study is ongoing. - Explains modeling approaches to carbon nanotubes, together with their application, strengths and limitations - Outlines the properties of different carbon nanotube-based composites, exploring how they are used in the mechanical and structural components - Analyzes the behavior of carbon nanotube-based composites in different conditions
Nanotechnology is progressing very rapidly. This book focuses on carbon nanotubes and nano clays and explore their importance and roles in composites. Hence, the chapters address processing, rheology, mechanical properties and their interaction with fiber composites.Written by renowned researchers, this book is a collection of nine chapters which embrace the role of nano particles in composites. The first three chapters focus on the use of carbon nanotubes in composites. Chapter 4 explores the interaction between traditional fiber composites and the use of nano particles in terms of benefits and property enhancement in addition to the processing of such materials. Chapter 5 discusses in detail the rheology of suspensions that contain nanofibers and how one can modify existing models to describe their flow behavior. Chapters 6 through 9 address nano clay composites.
Polymer nanocomposites are a class of material with a great deal of promise for potential applications in various industries ranging from construction to aerospace. These are high performance materials that exhibit unusual property combinations and unique design possibilities and are thought of as the materials of the 21st century. With an estimated annual growth rate of about 25% and huge demand for engineering polymers, their potential is so promising that they are useful in several applications ranging from packaging to bio-medical. The main difference between polymeric nanocomposites and conventional composites is the filler that is being used for reinforcement. In the nanocomposites the reinforcement is on the order of nanometer that leads to a very different final macroscopic property. Due to this unique feature polymeric nanocomposites have been studied exclusively in the last decade using various nanofillers such as minerals, sheets or fibers. A carbon nanotube (CNT) is a miniature cylindrical carbon structure that has hexagonal graphite molecules attached at the edges. Nanotubes look like a powder or black soot, but they're actually rolled-up sheets of graphene that form hollow strands with walls that are only one atom thick. Nanotubes, which are sometimes called buckytubes, were developed from the Fullerene, a structure that is similar to the geodesic domes. They take the form of cylindrical carbon molecules and have novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications in nanotechnology, electronics, optics and other fields of materials science. They exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat. Nanotubes are members of the fullerene structural family, which also includes buckyballs. Whereas buckyballs are spherical in shape, a nanotube is cylindrical, with at least one end typically capped with a hemisphere of the buckyball structure. Carbon Nanotubes - Polymer Nanocomposites focuses on the preparation and property analysis of polymer nanocomposites with CNTs (fibers) as nano fillers.
Since their discovery in 1977, the evolution of conducting polymers has revolutionized modern science and technology. These polymers enjoy a special status in the area of materials science yet they are not as popular among young readers or common people when compared to other materials like metals, paper, plastics, rubber, textiles, ceramics and composites like concrete. Most importantly, much of the available literature in the form of papers, specific review articles and books is targeted either at advanced readers (scientists / technologists / engineers / senior academicians) or for those who are already familiar with the topic (doctoral / postdoctoral scholars). For a beginner or even school / college students, such compilations are bit difficult to access / digest. In fact, they need proper introduction to the topic of conducting polymers including their discovery, preparation, properties, applications and societal impact, using suitable examples and already known principles/knowledge/phenomenon. Further, active participation of readers in terms of "question & answers", "fill-in-the-blanks", "numerical" along with suitable answer key is necessary to maintain the interest and to initiate the "thought process". The readers also need to know about the drawbacks and any hazards of such materials. Therefore, I believe that a comprehensive source on the science / technology of conducting polymers which maintains a link between grass root fundamentals and state-of-the-art R&D is still missing from the open literature.
Advanced Topics in Characterization of Composites is a product of the ''Characterization of Composite Materials" graduate course in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Tulsa. It contains a series of chapters describing characterization techniques for polymer-matrix composite materials. Topics covered include: -thermal analysis using DSC, -residual stresses, -single-fiber fragmentation testing, -creep and creep nature, -impact testing, -infrared thermography, -air-coupled ultrasonics, -structural health monitoring, and -fractography. The chapters include comprehensive literature reviews, background information, and best practices in experimental composites evaluation.
Discover a one-stop resource for in-depth knowledge on epoxy composites from leading voices in the field Used in a wide variety of materials engineering applications, epoxy composites are highly relevant to the work of engineers and scientists in many fields. Recent developments have allowed for significant advancements in their preparation, processing and characterization that are highly relevant to the aerospace and automobile industry, among others. In Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications, a distinguished team of authors and editors deliver a comprehensive and straightforward summary of the most recent developments in the area of epoxy composites. The book emphasizes their preparation, characterization and applications, providing a complete understanding of the correlation of rheology, cure reaction, morphology, and thermo-mechanical properties with filler dispersion. Readers will learn about a variety of topics on the cutting-edge of epoxy composite fabrication and characterization, including smart epoxy composites, theoretical modeling, recycling and environmental issues, safety issues, and future prospects for these highly practical materials. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to epoxy composites, their synthesis and manufacturing, and micro- and nano-scale structure formation in epoxy and clay nanocomposites An exploration of long fiber reinforced epoxy composites and eco-friendly epoxy-based composites Practical discussions of the processing of epoxy composites based on carbon nanomaterials and the thermal stability and flame retardancy of epoxy composites An analysis of the spectroscopy and X-ray scattering studies of epoxy composites Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and mechanical engineers, Epoxy Composites: Fabrication, Characterization and Applications will also earn a place in the libraries of engineering scientists working in industry and process engineers seeking a comprehensive and exhaustive resource on epoxy composites.
Since their discovery more than a decade ago, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have held scientists and engineers in captive fascination, seated on the verge of enormous breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, electronics, and materials science, to name but a few. Taking a broad look at CNTs and the tools used to study them, Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications comprises the efforts of leading nanotube researchers led by Michael O’Connell, protégé of the late father of nanotechnology, Richard Smalley. Each chapter is a self-contained treatise on various aspects of CNT synthesis, characterization, modification, and applications. The book opens with a general introduction to the basic characteristics and the history of CNTs, followed by discussions on synthesis methods and the growth of “peapod” structures. Coverage then moves to electronic properties and band structures of single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), magnetic properties, Raman spectroscopy of electronic and chemical behavior, and electromechanical properties and applications in NEMS (nanoelectromechanical systems). Turning to applications, the final sections of the book explore mechanical properties of SWNTs spun into fibers, sidewall functionalization in composites, and using SWNTs as tips for scanning probe microscopes. Taking a fresh look at this burgeoning field, Carbon Nanotubes: Properties and Applications points the way toward making CNTs commercially viable.
A review of the various methodologies for the surface treatment of different types of inorganic spherical and fibrous fillers, describing ball milling, cationic polymerization, vapor phase grafting, plasma treatment and UV irradiation in detail. In addition, the book connects the resulting composite properties to the modified filler surface properties, thus allowing for a purposeful, application-oriented composite design.
Presenting a wealth of completely revised examples and new information, Introduction to Composite Materials Design, Second Edition greatly improves on the bestselling first edition. It incorporates state-of-the-art advances in knowledge and design methods that have taken place over the last 10 years, yet maintains the distinguishing features and vital content of the original. New material in this second edition: Introduces new background topics, including design for reliability and fracture mechanics Revises and updates information on polymer matrices, modern fibers (e.g., carbon nanotubes, Basalt, Vectran) and fiber forms such as textiles/fabrics Includes new information on Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) Incorporates major advances in prediction of unidirectional-lamina properties Reworks sections on material failure, including the most advanced prediction and design methodologies, such as in situ strength and Mohr-Coulomb criterion, etc. Covers all aspects of preliminary design, relegating finite element analysis to a separate textbook Discusses methodology used to perform damage mechanics analysis of laminated composites accounting for the main damage modes: longitudinal tension, longitudinal compression, transverse tension, in-plane shear, and transverse compression Presents in-depth analysis of composites reinforced with plain, twill, and satin weaves, as well as with random fiber reinforcements Expands the analysis of thin walled beams with newly developed examples and MATLAB® code Addresses external strengthening of reinforced-concrete beams, columns, and structural members subjected to both axial and bending loads The author distributes 78 fully developed examples throughout the book to illustrate the application of presented analysis techniques and design methodology, making this textbook ideally suited for self-study. Requiring no more than senior undergraduate-level understanding of math and mechanics, it remains an invaluable tool for students in the engineering disciplines, as well as for self-studying, practicing engineers.