SBIR Phase I: A High Strength and Durable Composite NanoWrap for Repair and Rehabilitation of Piping and Other Civil Infrastructure Systems

该小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将研究将碳纳米管（CNT）纳入用于修复石油和天然气管道的纤维增强聚合物复合材料（FRPC）层压板的横截面。 添加碳纳米管的效果将提高蠕变疲劳强度和在工作温度下的寿命。 以往的研究表明，复合材料内的疲劳破坏开始在纤维？基体树脂界面，这是由于树脂的物理性质的限制以及其不能与纤维化学结合。在界面粘合层区域内添加官能化CNT提供了化学增强以延迟这种失效的开始，导致改善的拉伸强度和刚度，并且最显著地，增加疲劳寿命。 第一阶段的研究将测试和优化碳纳米管结合的方法，并将进行所得材料的机械，电气和热特性。 还预期所得材料还可表现出增强的导热性和导电性，从而为管道应用带来次要益处。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是开发一种成本效益高、易于安装、用于管道修复的原位复合材料产品，其设计使用寿命超过50年。 该项目的预期结果将导致一种新的和变革性的复合材料技术，用于管道维修和其他民用基础设施应用。 开发基于纳米材料的高强度和耐用的纤维增强聚合物复合材料（FRPC）包装，用于石油和天然气管道以及其他民用基础设施系统的维修和恢复的重要性有四个方面。 首先，新产品将带来材料的直接销售收入，在美国创造制造业就业机会。 其次，高效和经济的方法来修复石油和天然气管道系统将有一个显着的更广泛的利益，为世界？能源基础设施。 第三，与拆除旧管道和建设新管道有关的费用将减少。 最后，在这一新兴纳米技术的发展过程中，科学知识的扩展将推动这一关键技术领域的进一步研究和创新。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will investigate the incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the cross-section of fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) laminates used for the repair of oil and gas pipelines. The effects of the addition of CNTs will be improved creep-fatigue strength and life at operational temperatures. Previous research indicates that fatigue failure within composite materials initiates at the fiber?matrix resin interface due to limitations in the physical properties of the resin and its inability to chemically bond with the fiber. Incorporating functionalized CNTs within the interfacial bondline region provides a chemical reinforcement to delay this initiation of failure, resulting in improved tensile strength and stiffness, and most significantly, an increase in fatigue life. The Phase I research will test and optimize a method for CNT incorporation, and will perform mechanical, electrical, and thermal characterization of the resultant material. It is also anticipated that the resulting material may also exhibit enhanced thermal and electrical conductivity, leading to secondary benefits for pipeline applications. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be the development of a cost-effective, easy-to-install, in-situ composite product for pipeline repair, with an operational design life of over 50 years. The anticipated result of this project will lead to a new and transformative composite material technology for the use in pipeline repair and for other civil infrastructure applications. The significance of the development of high-strength and durable fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) wraps based on nanomaterials, for applications in repair and rehabilitation of oil and gas piping and other civil infrastructure systems is fourfold. First, the new product will result in direct sales revenues of the resulting material, creating manufacturing jobs in the US. Secondly, efficient and economical methods to repair oil and gas piping systems will have a significant broader benefit for the world?s energy infrastructure. Thirdly, costs related to demolition of old pipelines and new pipeline construction will be reduced. Finally, the expansion of scientific knowledge expected during the development of this emerging nanotechnology will drive further research and innovation in this key area of technology.