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High-Performance Polymer-Matrix Composites: Novel Routes of Synthesis and Interface-Structure-Property Correlations

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Handbook on Synthesis Strategies for Advanced Materials

Part of the book series: Indian Institute of Metals Series ((IIMS))

Abstract

No single material or a class of material meets the diverse set of properties required for different applications. Inherent advantages and disadvantages of metals, ceramics, or polymers have made it necessary to develop combinatorial approaches, wherein their functional advantages are maximized and drawbacks are abridged. Composites are the materials comprising two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical, mechanical, electrical, or thermal attributes. Composites offer material characteristics that are different from the individual components and can be engineered to entail synergistic advantages such as high strength, corrosion resistance, electrical or thermal conductivity, and low cost. Notably, in composites, the individual components may remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. The composite material is generally defined by the matrix such as metal-matrix composite, ceramic-matrix composites, and polymer-matrix composites, or by the type and morphological arrangement of the filler such as particle reinforced, fiber reinforced, unidirectional, random, laminates, or honeycombs. Fabrication of composite materials is accomplished by a wide variety of techniques such as melt compounding, in situ polymerization, tufting, tailored fiber placement and filament winding. Depending on the matrix and the filler, different synthetic strategies are adopted. Further with the advent of nano-sized fillers, new class of composites has emerged which have significant important advantages over the conventional composites. This chapter provides details on the synthesis strategies of different polymer-matrix composite materials. A detailed account of the strategies to tailor interfacial adhesion, dispersion, filler asymmetry, filler orientation, and high loading is made, and specific details on the synthesis of nanocomposites and the morphology-interface-property correlation are presented. Recent advances in the theoretical frameworks and the specific applications of the composites are also discussed.

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Abbreviations

3D:

Three dimensional

AlN:

Aluminum nitride

BS:

Barium sulfate

BT:

Barium titanate

CaCO3:

Calcium carbonate

CF:

Carbon fiber

CNF:

Conducting nano-fiber

CNT:

Carbon nanotube

CPC:

Conducting polymer composites

DVB:

Divinylbenzene

EB:

Electron beam

EPDM:

Ethylene propylene diene monomer

EPR:

Electron paramagnetic resonance

Epoxy-Br:

Brominated epoxy

ER:

Epoxy resin

EVA:

Ethylene vinyl acetate

FCE:

Fluorocarbon elastomer

FRPs:

Fiber-reinforced plastics

GO:

Graphene oxide

MA:

Maleic anhydride

MCFs:

Microcrystalline cellulose fibers

MMT:

Montmorillonite

MWCNT:

Multi-walled carbon nanotube

NCB:

Nano carbon black

NR:

Natural rubber

PAN-g-PDMS:

Polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(dimethyl siloxane)

PB:

Polybutadiene

PBA:

Poly(butyl acrylate)

PC:

Polymer composites

PDMS:

Poly(dimethyl siloxane)

PP:

Polypropylene

PTFE:

Poly(tetra fluoro ethylene)

PVDF:

Polyvinylidene fluoride

PVP:

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)

SBR:

Styrene-butadiene rubber

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

SWCNT:

Single-walled carbon nanotube

T g :

Glass transition temperature

TPC:

Thermoplastic composites

TSCs:

Thermoset composites

TiO2:

Titanium dioxide

TMPTA:

Trimethylolpropane triacrylate

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Dr. P. K. Pujari, Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope Group, for his constant encouragement and a keen interest in this work.

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Correspondence to K. A. Dubey .

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Dubey, K.A., Bhardwaj, Y.K. (2021). High-Performance Polymer-Matrix Composites: Novel Routes of Synthesis and Interface-Structure-Property Correlations. In: Tyagi, A.K., Ningthoujam, R.S. (eds) Handbook on Synthesis Strategies for Advanced Materials. Indian Institute of Metals Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1892-5_1

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