Novel Multifunctional Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites with Enhanced Creep and Gas Barrier Properties

粘合环氧树脂具有高的强度重量比、优异的热稳定性以及优异的粘接和密封性能，在光电子结构部件的组装中起着至关重要的作用。这些聚合物粘合剂沿接触表面提供均匀的应力分布，是连接不同材料的有前途的候选材料。环氧树脂是一种热固性聚合物，通过共价键将树脂和催化链交联而固化，表现出复杂的温度和时间相关的粘弹性行为。光电子器件的性能和成本效益取决于环氧树脂技术；环氧树脂用于将自由空间光学元件固定在高精度和稳定的空间布置中，并用于容纳光学元件的外壳的密封。对环氧技术工程性能的改进可以直接有助于提高这些设备的性能，从而提供关键的竞争优势。Lumentum与多伦多大学合作的具体目标是：研究粘合环氧树脂的动态性能，以在较大的温度范围和设备的20年使用寿命内保持光学元件的稳定位置和方向；改进粘合性能，以最大限度地减少固化组件在受到冲击和振动时粘合或粘合失效的机会。作为此次合作的双方，该大学和该公司将共同努力，利用最先进的制造技术和材料表征设备，开发具有增强的动态和粘合性能的新一代粘合环氧纳米复合材料。在这一合作时期开发的创新将转移到加拿大和世界各地的学术界和相关行业。

Adhesive epoxies play a crucial role in assembly of structural parts in opto-electronics due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent thermal stability and outstanding adhesion as well as sealing properties. These polymer adhesives provide uniform stress distribution along the contact surface and are promising candidates to connect dissimilar materials. Epoxy is a thermoset polymer cured by cross-linkage of resin and catalyst chains through covalent bonds, which exhibit complex temperature- and time-dependent viscoelastic behavior. The performance and cost-effectiveness of optoelectronic devices depends on epoxy technologies; epoxy is used to fix free-space optical components in highly precise and stable spatial arrangements and is used in the hermetic sealing of the enclosures that house the optics. Improvements to the engineering properties of epoxy technology can directly contribute to improved performance of these devices, delivering a critical competitive edge. The specific goals of the partnership between Lumentum and University of Toronto are: Study the dynamic properties in adhesive epoxy to maintain stable position and orientation of optical component over large temperature range and 20 years operating life of device; Improve adhesion properties to minimize chances of both adhesive or cohesive failure of epoxy when cured assembly is subjected to shock and vibration. The university and the company as the two sides of this collaboration will work collectively towards development of new generation of adhesive epoxy nanocomposite with enhanced dynamic as well as adhesion properties using the state-of-the art manufacturing technologies and material characterization equipment. The developed innovations in this period of collaboration would be transferred to both academia and relevant industries in Canada and worldwide.