“Polymer nanocomposites have recently attracted attention because of their novel and multifunctional properties. Specifically, reinforcing thermoplastic polymers with nanotubes or nanoplatelets to form nanocomposites is a way to extend the usage of polymeric materials in engineering applications by improving their mechanical properties, namely elastic modulus and yield stress with filler contents as low as 5–10 wt%. Furthermore, filler’s shape, dimension, aspect ratio, and surface characteristics play a key role in determining the morphology, and thus, the thermo-mechanical, rheological, flame resistance, and optical properties of the final composite.” [*] In this project, halloysite reinforced PE and PP composites will be produced and tested for their mechanical and functional properties.
[*] Diego Pedrazzoli, Alessandro Pegoretti, Ralf Thomann, Janos Kristof and Jozsef Karger-Kocsis, “Toughening Linear Low-Density Polyethylene With Halloysite Nanotubes”, Polymer Composites, 36, 869-883, 2015. DOI 10.1002/pc.23006
Zhixin Jia , Yuanfang Luo , Baochun Guo , Bingtao Yang , Mingliang Du & Demin Jia “Reinforcing and Flame-Retardant Effects of Halloysite Nanotubes on LLDPE, Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering”, 48:6, 607-613, 2009. DOI: 10.1080/03602550902824440
Undergraduate
MECHENG 743 - Composite Materials
Lab allocations have not been finalised