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

在这个项目中，我们希望开发用于制造具有各种材料组合的纳米纤维复合材料（NFCs）的科学和技术基础。由于制造需求的增加和塑料替代金属，塑料的使用只会继续增长，NFC为缓解这些问题提供了一个出色的解决方案。我们相信，NFC的使用将很容易被应用到当前的日常塑料制造工艺中。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，我们可以定制我们的项目，以满足任何需求。因此，我们试图揭示纳米纤维技术的基本原理。因此，将采取两种方法：用刚性纳米原纤维硬化，和用弹性体纳米原纤维增韧。因此，我们希望开发先进的制造技术，用于制造具有良好分散的纳米原纤（直径为50 nm及以下）的复合材料。该研究项目的数据最终将作为开发商业上可行的，具有成本效益的和生态友好的先进制造技术的蓝图，以生产轻质和“绿色”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，并能够产生更高质量的泡沫。我们的工作所带来的发现将为正在进行的研发奠定基础，这些研发将产生尖端的高性能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的竞争能力产生直接和积极的影响。计划中的研究活动还将为参与的HQP提供全面的知识和无与伦比的培训经验。 由于其独特的纳米原纤化形态，这些先进的复合材料将开辟新的途径，在开发具有前所未有的性能的高价值产品。除了机械性能的改善之外，已经证明良好分散的纳米原纤维的存在增强了其发泡性。虽然通过用注塑聚合物复合材料代替传统材料已经实现了部件重量的显著降低，但是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。除了聚烯烃之外，原位原纤化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/生物降解塑料和弹性体。

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.