Nanofibril Technology for advanced manufacturing of next generation of high performance plastic composites

用于下一代高性能塑料复合材料先进制造的纳米纤维技术

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-06972
• 负责人: Park, Chul
• 金额: $ 4.66万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=741521
• 关键词: Nanofibril; Technology; advanced; manufacturing; next

In this project, we would like to develop the scientific and technological base for the manufacture of nanofibrillar composites (NFCs) with various materials combinations. As the use of plastics will only continue to grow due to manufacturing demand increases and the replacement of metals with plastics, NFCs present an outstanding solution to alleviate these issues. We believe that the use of NFCs will be easily adopted into current, everyday plastic manufacturing processes. This will have a widespread societal impact due to reduced energy and material consumptions. The long-term objective of this proposal is to commercialize the nanofibril technology and the materials combinations for everything between consumer goods and high-performance applications. By evaluating the market requirements, we can tailor our projects to fulfill any needs. Accordingly, we seek to uncover the basic fundamentals in nanofibril technology. Consequently, two approaches will be taken; stiffening with stiff nanofibril, and toughening with elastomeric nanofibril. We thus wish to develop advanced manufacturing technologies for the fabrication of composites with well-dispersed nanofibrils (diameter of 50 nm and below). The data from this research project will ultimately serve as a blueprint for developing commercially-viable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly advanced manufacturing technologies to produce lightweight and `greener' polymer nanocomposites. These composites will have improved mechanical properties and will be able to create higher quality foams. The discoveries that will result from our work will establish a basis for ongoing R&D that will yield cutting-edge, high-performance plastic and composite products as well as their associated manufacturing technologies. Our findings will have a direct and positive impact on Canadian industries and their ability to compete on global markets. The planned research activities will also provide the participating HQPs with well-rounded knowledge and an unparalleled training experience. Due to their unique nanofibrillated morphology, these advanced composites will open up new avenues in the development of high-value products with unprecedented properties. In addition to the improvements in mechanical properties, it has been demonstrated that the presence of well-dispersed nanofibril enhances its foamability. While a notable reduction in part weights has been achieved by replacing conventional materials with injection-molded polymer composites, the ability to induce a uniform foam structure within the final product will further promote both material and weight savings. This will benefit the aerospace, automotive, and mass transportation industries. Apart from polyolefins, the in-situ fibrillation technology can be extended to other material combinations, including self-reinforced polymer composites, engineering plastics, bio-compatible/bio-degradable plastics, and elastomers.

在这个项目中，我们希望发展各种材料组合制造纳米纤维复合材料（nfc）的科技基础。由于制造业需求的增加和塑料替代金属，塑料的使用只会继续增长，nfc提供了一个出色的解决方案来缓解这些问题。我们相信，nfc的使用将很容易被采用到当前的日常塑料制造过程中。由于减少了能源和材料消耗，这将产生广泛的社会影响。该提案的长期目标是将纳米纤维技术和材料组合商业化，用于消费品和高性能应用之间的一切。通过评估市场需求，我们可以调整我们的项目来满足任何需求。因此，我们试图揭示纳米纤维技术的基本原理。因此，将采取两种办法；用刚性纳米纤维增强，用弹性纳米纤维增强。因此，我们希望开发先进的制造技术，以制造具有良好分散的纳米原纤维（直径为50纳米及以下）的复合材料。该研究项目的数据最终将成为开发商业上可行的、具有成本效益的、环保的先进制造技术的蓝图，以生产轻质和“更环保”的聚合物纳米复合材料。这些复合材料将具有改进的机械性能，并将能够创造更高质量的泡沫。从我们的工作中获得的发现将为正在进行的研发奠定基础，从而产生尖端、高性能的塑料和复合材料产品以及相关的制造技术。我们的研究结果将对加拿大工业及其在全球市场上竞争的能力产生直接和积极的影响。计划中的研究活动也将为参与的卫生服务人员提供全面的知识和无与伦比的培训经验。由于其独特的纳米纤维化形态，这些先进的复合材料将为开发具有前所未有性能的高价值产品开辟新的途径。除了力学性能的改善外，已经证明分散良好的纳米纤维的存在增强了其发泡性。虽然通过用注塑成型聚合物复合材料取代传统材料可以显著减轻零件重量，但在最终产品中诱导均匀泡沫结构的能力将进一步促进材料和重量的节省。这将有利于航空航天、汽车和大众运输行业。除聚烯烃外，原位纤颤技术还可以扩展到其他材料组合，包括自增强聚合物复合材料、工程塑料、生物相容性/生物可降解塑料和弹性体。