Abstract
Nanoparticle additives have been used in many research projects to enhance different polymer properties for applications including those which require improved electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These additives change multiple properties simultaneously, tunable by adjusting the additive weight loading. Polymer nanocomposite research is an open area for all different applications because significant enhancements are observed with low weight loading of nanoparticles. A material undergoing an ablation process, for example in a solid rocket motor, is a material that needs multifunctional tunable properties to perform under the harsh environment. In this study the enhancements provided by three nanoparticle additives (multiwall carbon nanotubes, montmorillonite nanoclay, and carbon nanofibers) to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer are compared. Experiments performed are used to understand the different enhancements that these additives provide during the ablation process (thermal degradation, flammability, and decomposition gas studies). The polymer nanocomposite is exposed to the exhaust end of a hybrid rocket to study the char formed in a true ablative environment. These studies show that the decomposition and postburn properties of the polymer are improved by each of these three additives. After the flammability experiments and hybrid rocket the char layer is compared. The char layer in the nanoclay polymer nanocomposites was both the thinnest and strongest and the char layer of the carbon nanofiber polymer nanocomposites were both the thickest and weakest.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call