Instrumentation for Research on the Microstructure Processing and Mechanical Performance of Polymeric Nanocomposites
Abstract
This report details the acquisition of instrumentation to support fundamental research focused on studying the relationships between microstructure, processing and macroscopic properties of polymeric based nanocomposites having reinforcing particles with 0, 1 and 2 dimensional shapes. A close coupling between experimental observations and computational modeling & analysis is essential to develop the understanding needed to take nanocomposite technologies forward. The equipment is being utilized to establish a fundamental knowledge base of the structure -property-processing relations for a wide spectrum of nanocomposite types. Controlled blending of inorganic fillers of a range of morphologies - equiaxial (carbon black, silica); tubular: (carbon nanotubes) or discotic (nano-clay) - into a range of polymeric matrices (semicrystalline, glassy, thermoplastic-elastomer and elastomeric) provides exploration of filler/matrix combinations with a wide range of chemical and physical attributes. The huge surface/volume ratio and the small inter-particle spacings create an unusual situation in which nearly every polymer molecule is interacting with a nearby filler interface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA419013
Entities
People
- D. M. Parks
- E. L. Thomas
- G. Mckinley
- G. Rutledge
- K. Gleason
- Mary C. Boyce
- Robert E. Cohen
- W. J. Brittain
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology