Abstract
Polymer-matrix composites containing conductive nanoparticles are a potential means for achieving an appealing combination of multifunctional properties for their use as structural parts in the aerospace field. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been being looked forward to as the next generation of new and avant-garde aircraft structures because they are exceptionally coveted competitor materials to replace traditional metal components for lightning strike protection. In this regard, nanocomposites at low concentration of CNFs ranging from 0.05% up to 2% by wt to impart electron conduction in tetrafunctional epoxy resin have been prepared and characterized. The aim of this work concerns the use of Tunneling AFM (TUNA) as revolutionary tool able to correlate the electrical current map with the correspondent local morphology of CNF/resins. TUNA technique has proven to play a leading role in the identification of current paths and electrical interconnections, even without altering the morphology with usual treatments employed to create electrical contacts to the ground. Summing up, the good electrical performance together with the high mechanical properties due to a conductive cross-linked network of CNFs inside the resin demonstrate a charming applicative potential for the formulated nanocomposites as structural materials capable to provide a safe conductive path on the exterior skin, preventing serious damage to the aircraft.
Highlights
Polymer composites reinforced with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have paved the way for new and exciting scenarios for multifunctional materials
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) analysis was performed in order to obtain fruitful information on the dynamic storage modulus, which is often associated with the “stiffness” of a material and is related to the Young’s modulus, and the mechanical damping factor which is useful for determining the occurrence of molecular mobility transitions such as the glass transition temperature (Tg)
We can observe for Epoxy/0.05%CNF sample a decrease in the storage modulus with respect to the unfilled resin (Epoxy) in the temperature range -50°C to about 250°C, even if the detected values are suitable in the usual operational temperature range of structural materials anyway
Summary
Polymer composites reinforced with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have paved the way for new and exciting scenarios for multifunctional materials. Aeronautic structures need to meet two criteria: high performance and lightweight In this contest, conductive epoxy nanocomposites capable to fulfill tightened and compelling industrial requirements in the field of structural materials have been developed and characterized providing a safe conductive path on the exterior skin of the aircraft. This paper focus on electrical characterization at nanoscale level using Tunneling AFM (TUNA), which is able to detect ultra-low currents ranging from 80 fA to 120 pA [13], as innovative tool for correlating the local topography with electrical properties of CNF/epoxy nanocomposites designed to meet pressing industrial requirements in the field of structural materials.
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