Title

Morphology, thermal stability, and flammability of polymer matrix composites coated with hybrid nanopapers

Authors

Authors

Y. Tang; J. F. Zhuge; J. H. Gou; R. H. Chen; C. Ibeh;Y. Hu

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Polym. Adv. Technol.

Keywords

CNF; POSS; nanopaper; nanocomposites; flame retardancy; POSS NANOCOMPOSITES; CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES; POLYESTER; INTUMESCENTS; PERFORMANCE; POLYSTYRENE; PYROLYSIS; FIRE; Polymer Science

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid nanopaper consisting of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) or cloisite Na(+) clay, has been fabricated through the papermaking process. The hybrid nanopaper was then coated on the surface of glass fiber (GF) reinforced polymer matrix composites through resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The morphologies of the hybrid nanopaper and resulting nanocomposites were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It can be seen that the nanopaper had a porous structure with highly entangled carbon nanofibers and the polyester resin completely penetrated the nanopaper throughout the thickness. The thermal decomposition behavior of the hybrid nanopapers and nanocomposites was studied with the real-time thermogravimetric analysis/flourier transform infrared spectrometry (TGA/FTIR). The test results indicate that the addition of pristine nanoclay increased the thermal stability of the nanopaper, whereas the POSS particles decreased the thermal stability of the nanopaper. The fire retardant performance of composite laminates coated with the hybrid nanopaper was evaluated with cone calorimeter tests using a radiated heat flux of 50 kW/m(2). The cone calorimeter test results indicate that the peak heat release rate (PHRR) decreased dramatically in composite laminates coated with the CNF-clay nanopaper. However, the PHRRs of the CNF-POSS nanopaper coated composite laminates increased. The formation of compact char materials was observed on the surface of the residues of the CNF-clay nanopaper after cone calorimeter test. The flame retardant mechanisms of the hybrid nanopaper in the composite laminates are discussed. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Title

Polymers for Advanced Technologies

Volume

22

Issue/Number

10

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

1403

Last Page

1413

WOS Identifier

WOS:000295466100002

ISSN

1042-7147

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