Carbon Nanotube Enhanced Aerospace Composite Materials

The well documented increase in the use of high performance composites as structural materials in aerospace components is continuously raising the demands in terms of dynamic performance, structural integrity, reliable life monitoring systems and adaptive actuating abilities. Current technologies address the above issues separately; material property tailoring and custom design practices aim to the enhancement of dynamic and damage tolerance characteristics, whereas life monitoring and actuation is performed with embedded sensors that may be detrimental to the structural integrity of the component. This publication explores the unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as an additive in the matrix of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP), for producing structural composites with improved mechanical performance as well as sensing/actuating capabilities. The successful combination of the CNT properties and existing sensing actuating technologies leads to the realization of a multifunctional FRP structure. The current volume presents the state of the art research in this field. The contributions cover all the aspects of the novel composite systems, i.e. modeling from nano to macro scale, enhancement of structural efficiency, dispersion and manufacturing, integral health monitoring abilities, Raman monitoring, as well as the capabilities that ordered carbon nanotube arrays offer in terms of sensing and/or actuating in aerospace composites.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have amazing properties and a key way to take advantage of this is by incorporating nanotubes into a matrix to build composite materials. The best candidates for this task are undoubtedly polymers. Almost every characteristic of a polymer can be significantly enhanced by adding carbon nanotubes and as a result, new potential applications of carbon nanotube enhanced polymer composites are discovered every day. However, before carbon nanotube enhanced polymer composites become commonplace there are some tough challenges that need to be overcome. This book reviews the status of worldwide research in both single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube based composites. It serves as a practical guide on carbon nanotube based composites and a reference to students and researchers from the academia and industry.

The well documented increase in the use of high performance composites as structural materials in aerospace components is continuously raising the demands in terms of dynamic performance, structural integrity, reliable life monitoring systems and adaptive actuating abilities. Current technologies address the above issues separately; material property tailoring and custom design practices aim to the enhancement of dynamic and damage tolerance characteristics, whereas life monitoring and actuation is performed with embedded sensors that may be detrimental to the structural integrity of the component. This publication explores the unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as an additive in the matrix of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP), for producing structural composites with improved mechanical performance as well as sensing/actuating capabilities. The successful combination of the CNT properties and existing sensing actuating technologies leads to the realization of a multifunctional FRP structure. The current volume presents the state of the art research in this field. The contributions cover all the aspects of the novel composite systems, i.e. modeling from nano to macro scale, enhancement of structural efficiency, dispersion and manufacturing, integral health monitoring abilities, Raman monitoring, as well as the capabilities that ordered carbon nanotube arrays offer in terms of sensing and/or actuating in aerospace composites.

Advanced Composite Materials for Aerospace Engineering: Processing, Properties and Applications predominately focuses on the use of advanced composite materials in aerospace engineering. It discusses both the basic and advanced requirements of these materials for various applications in the aerospace sector, and includes discussions on all the main types of commercial composites that are reviewed and compared to those of metals. Various aspects, including the type of fibre, matrix, structure, properties, modeling, and testing are considered, as well as mechanical and structural behavior, along with recent developments. There are several new types of composite materials that have huge potential for various applications in the aerospace sector, including nanocomposites, multiscale and auxetic composites, and self-sensing and self-healing composites, each of which is discussed in detail. The book’s main strength is its coverage of all aspects of the topics, including materials, design, processing, properties, modeling and applications for both existing commercial composites and those currently under research or development. Valuable case studies provide relevant examples of various product designs to enhance learning. Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Provides a comprehensive resource on the use of advanced composite materials in the aerospace industry Discusses both existing commercial composite materials and those currently under research or development

This discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNT) three decades ago ushered in the technological era of nanotechnology. Among the most widely studied areas of CNT research is their use as structural reinforcements in composites. This book describes the development of CNT reinforced metal matrix composites (CNT-MMCs) over the last two decades. The field of CNT-MMCs is abundant in fundamental science, rich in engineering challenges and innovations and ripe for technological maturation and commercialization. The authors have sought to present the current state of the-art in CNT-MMC technology from their synthesis to their myriad potential end-use applications. Specifically, topics explored include: • Advantages, limitations, and evolution of processing techniques used to synthesize and fabricate CNT-MMCs • Emphasizes dispersion techniques of CNTs in metallic systems, a key challenge to the successful and widespread implementation of CNT-MMCs. Methods for quantification and improved control of CNT distributions are presented • Methods for quantification and improved control of CNT distributions are presented • Characterization techniques uniquely suited for charactering these nanoscale materials and their many chemical and physical interactions with the metal matrix, including real-time in-situ characterization of deformation mechanisms • Electron microscope images from premier studies enrich discussions on micro-mechanical modeling, interfacial design, mechanical behavior, and functional properties • A chapter is dedicated to the emergence of dual reinforcement composites that seek to enhance the efficacy of CNTs and lead to material properties by design This book highlights seminal findings in CNT-MMC research and includes several tables listing processing methods, associated CNT states, and resulting properties in order to aid the next generation of researchers in advancing the science and engineering of CNT-MMCs. In addition, a survey of the patent literature is presented in order to shed light on what the first wave of CNT-MMC commercialization may look like and the challenges that will have to be overcome, both technologically and commercially.

Understanding the properties of polymer carbon nanotube (CNT) composites is the key to these materials finding new applications in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to electronics, aerospace and biomedical/bioengineering. Polymer-carbon nanotube composites provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the preparation, characterisation, properties and applications of these technologically interesting new materials. Part one covers the preparation and processing of composites of thermoplastics with CNTs, with chapters covering in-situ polymerization, melt processing and CNT surface treatment, as well as elastomer and thermoset CNT composites. Part two concentrates on properties and characterization, including chapters on the quantification of CNT dispersion using microscopy techniques, and on topics as diverse as thermal degradation of polymer/CNT composites, the use of rheology, Raman spectroscopy and multi-scale modelling to study polymer/CNT composites, and CNT toxicity. In part three, the applications of polymer/CNT composites are reviewed, with chapters on specific applications such as in fibres and cables, bioengineering applications and conductive polymer CNT composites for sensing. With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Polymer-carbon nanotube composites is an essential reference for scientists, engineers and designers in high-tech industry and academia with an interest in polymer nanotechnology and nanocomposites. Provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the preparation, characterisation and properties of these technologically interesting new materials Reviews the preparation and processing of composites of thermoplastics with CNTs, covering in-situ polymerization, melt processing and CNT surface treatment Explores applications of polymer/CNT composites such as in fibres and cables, bioengineering applications and conductive polymer CNT composites for sensing

Polymeric Nanocomposites with Carbonaceous Nanofillers for Aerospace Applications offers a comprehensive paperback on the aerospace relevance of polymer/carbonaceous nanofiller-based nanocomposite. This manuscript summarizes all specific information on the design, fabrication and application areas of aerospace industry that employ polymer/carbonaceous nanofiller-based nanocomposites. In addition, it points to the potential of aeronautical nanocomposites towards lightning strike, radiation shielding, anti-corrosion, electronic/optical features, thermal management, antistatic application, self-healing aptitude, and green nanocomposites. The modeling of mechanical and essential properties of aerospace nanocomposites is also discussed, along with challenges and future forecasts of polymer/carbonaceous nanofiller nanocomposites. Focuses on essential aerospace composites, carbonaceous nanofillers, and ensuing polymer/carbonaceous nanofiller-based nanocomposites Explores indispensable properties of aeronautical nanocomposites, modeling of physical properties, and combined influence of carbonaceous nanofillers and carbon fibers on space material properties Includes up-to-date technical applications of polymer/carbonaceous nanofiller-based nanocomposites in design, mechanical robustness, heat resistance, non-flammability, anti-corrosion, radiation shielding, lightning strike prevention, electronic/optical features, antistatic application, self-healing, thermal management, and green nanocomposites for aeronautical relevance

Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Advanced Composite Materials and Technologies for Aerospace Applications held on May 13-16, 2013, Wrexham, North Wales, United Kingdom