Polymer nanocomposites for structural applications. Part VI Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites

M. MOLLO; C. BERNAL

POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES BASED ON INORGANIC AND ORGANIC NANOMATERIALS

Scrivener Publishing

Lugar: New Jersey; Año: 2015; p. 505 - 518

In the present chapter, different types of polymer nanocomposites particularly attractive for structural applications are described. Nanofillers can be introduced in the matrix or in the interfacial region in conventional fiber-reinforced composites in order to mainly improve interlaminar strength and hence, to avoid delamination. Nanocomposites can be also in the form of fibers as reinforcement in all-polymer composites. Furthermore, novel polymer nanocomposites can exist as fibrillar single polymer composites exhibiting remarkably improved strength and stiffness. With regard to structural properties, nanocomposites appear particularly appropriate as means of improving the mechanical properties of conventional composites rather than to be used as nanocomposites by themselves, except in some particular cases such as in self-reinforced composites. The key determining factors of the mechanical properties of nanocomposites are briefly reviewed. Finally, summary, conclusions and future trends are presented.