PHYSICAL&MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITES WITH NANO-SIZED CARBON FILLERS FOR FIXING CRACKS

Abstract

Annually the length of piping networks grows across the Russian Federation, which leads to a larger scope of repair. It is impossible to timely perform repairs, unless innovative technologies are applied. These technologies should prevent the need to cut out defective metal areas or interrupt the pumping process. Over the last years the repair technology is found sufficient, when there is a range of composite materials used to fix crack-like defects. Computational modeling of the crack filling with a composite reveals that reinforcement of the crack edges reduces stress in its peak. Consequently, it allows to prevent an area of their singularity values from occurring. To comply with the requirements to the fixed crack’s parameters, the composite material should be fluid enough and have a high steel adhesionto securely brace the crack edges. In addition, the material should have enough plasticity to compensate local deformation shifts occurring under static or regular loads applied to the structure. The study researches how nanosized carbon fillers — fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene — impact the physical & mechanical properties of the epoxy resin-based composite materials. It is demonstrated that the composite with fullerenes has an enhanced plasticity and a high fluidity. Therefore, this composite can be recommended for fixing narrower cracks in steel structures under regular loads. It is found that the composite with nanotubes maintains the required fluidity for half an hour and can be used, if the crack-like defect cannot be fixed within a tight timeframe. The composite material with graphene is extra strong. Consequently, it can be used to fix cracks in structures under static loads.