Advanced Interpenetrating Networks for Structural Applications

用于结构应用的高级互穿网络

• 批准号: 1334838
• 负责人: Megan Robertson
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: University of Houston
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-07-15 至 2017-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1334838&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Advanced; Interpenetrating; Networks; Structural; Applications

The implementation of structural polymers and fiber reinforced polymer composites in civil infrastructure, energy, aerospace, and automotive industries has been steadily gaining prominence. Epoxy resins are dominant materials used in structural applications due to their strength and stiffness. However, epoxy resins are also brittle and essentially elastic up to failure with little capacity for redistribution of stresses and dissipation of energy. The objective of this project is to develop tough epoxy resins through the synthesis and characterization of novel interpenetrating networks of traditional epoxy resins with polydicyclopentadiene, a commercially available polymer that is well-known to be ductile and tough. The hypothesis of this project is that an interpenetrating network will combine the advantageous properties of both of its constituents thereby exhibiting superior cracking and debonding behavior as compared to traditional structural epoxy resins. The knowledge gained in the development of these materials will provide a greater understanding of critical parameters governing interpenetrating network formation, structural evolution during the material preparation, and relationships between the material structure and macroscopic physical properties. As engineers become more comfortable with the use of composites in structural applications, they are adopting thicker and larger structural components to meet the load requirements of more demanding applications. For example, some modern commercial airliners implement fiber reinforced polymer composites; similarly, glass fiber composites are commonly used to fabricate wind turbine blades. In civil infrastructure, thick, high modulus carbon fiber reinforced polymers have been investigated to repair and strengthen deteriorated steel structures. Despite their higher costs, epoxy resin adhesives are most commonly used to bond composite materials for structural applications. This research project will result in development of a new class of materials that maintain the advantageous properties of epoxy resins (high strength and stiffness), yet are also tough and resistant to fracturing. Educational programs will be closely integrated into the research objectives, including the development of a hands-on outreach program for K-12 students and participation of undergraduate and graduate students in the research, emphasizing retaining students in engineering and educating students on the impact of polymers on society.

在民用基础设施，能源，航空航天和汽车行业中的结构聚合物和纤维增强聚合物复合材料的实施一直在稳步增强。 环氧树脂是由于其强度和刚度而用于结构应用中的主要材料。 然而，环氧树脂也很脆弱，基本上是弹性的，直至失败，而重新分布应力和能量耗散的能力很小。 该项目的目的是通过将传统环氧树脂的新型互穿网络与多型环戊二烯（一种可商购的聚合物）合成和表征来开发坚硬的环氧树脂，这是一种众所周知的延性且坚固的聚合物。该项目的假设是，与传统的结构环氧树脂相比，互穿网络将结合其两个成分的有利特性。 在这些材料的开发中获得的知识将对管理互穿网络形成，材料制备过程中的结构演变以及材料结构与宏观物理特性之间的关系的关键参数有更深入的了解。随着工程师对在结构应用中使用复合材料的使用变得越来越舒适，他们采用了更厚，更大的结构组件来满足苛刻的应用程序的负载要求。例如，一些现代商用客机实施了纤维增强的聚合物复合材料。同样，玻璃纤维复合材料通常用于制造风力涡轮机叶片。在民用基础设施中，已经研究了厚，高的模量碳纤维增强聚合物，以修复和增强恶化的钢结构。尽管成本较高，但环氧树脂粘合剂最常用于结合结构应用的复合材料。该研究项目将导致一类新的材料的发展，这些材料维持环氧树脂的优势特性（高强度和刚度），但也很坚固且抗压裂。教育计划将紧密整合到研究目标中，包括为K-12学生开发动手外展计划以及本科生和研究生的参与研究，强调将学生留在工程学和教育学生对社会的影响方面。