STTR Phase I: Alignment of Low Cost, High Modulus, High Strength Carbon Nanofibers in Composites

这个小型企业技术转移（STTR）第一阶段项目将开发在聚合物基复合材料中产生短但高度石墨化和廉价的纳米纤维排列的方法。应用科学公司与其分包商俄亥俄大学（Ohio University）合作开展的这些工作，有望为基体提供出色的机械增强，并有效实现碳纤维增强材料同时获得高模量、高强度和低成本的难以实现的目标。碳纳米纤维将被制成细细的、挤压的热塑性聚合物，然后通过传统的纺织品处理技术将其铺成复合材料。短纤维的形成和层压纸也将被探讨。将测试复合材料的机械性能，并评估实际获得的纤维排列程度。广泛的军事和商业应用将受益于碳纤维增强复合材料。目前使用短切玻璃纤维增强的任何应用都可以用具有改进机械性能的碳纤维增强部件代替。可受益于复合材料面板中增加的导电性的应用，例如用于飞机的低可观察材料，EMI控制外壳和需要静电喷涂技术的汽车面板。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop methods for generating alignment of short but highly graphitic and inexpensive nanofibers in polymer matrix composites. These efforts, carried out by Applied Sciences, in collaboration with its subcontractor, Ohio University, are expected to result in excellent mechanical reinforcement of the matrix, and effectively achieve the elusive goal of simultaneously attaining high modulus, high strength, and low cost from a carbon fiber reinforcement. Carbon nanofibers will be made to align in thin, extruded strands of thermoplastic polymer that can then be laid up and molded into composites by conventional textile handling techniques. The formation and lamination of papers from the short fibers will also be explored. Composites will be tested for mechanical properties and evaluated for the degree of fiber alignment actually obtained.A wide variety of military and commercial applications would benefit from carbon fiber reinforced composites. Any application that currently uses chopped glass fiber reinforcement could be replaced by a carbon fiber reinforced component with improved mechanical properties. Application that can benefit from added electrical conductivity in composites panels, such as low observable materials for aircraft, EMI control enclosures, and automotive panels that need electrostatic painting techniques.