A Novel Stress-Responsive Multifunctional Composite with Improved Performance and Tunable Mechanical Properties FY2020-000502-CT
Abstract
A novel design/synthesis/analysis framework to develop multifunctional polymers with unprecedented combination of mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, and self-sensing and self-healing capability to design next generation carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites with significantly improved performance metrics. The multidisciplinary research will integrate novel material synthesis techniques with high-fidelity multiscale computational models and carefully designed experiments to understand the chemistry, structure, and underlying physics of the novel multifunctional composite with optimized properties. New synthesis techniques will combine the concepts of stress-responsive mechanophores, high-strength nanofillers and shape memory polymers (SMP) into a single network via chemically reacting/grafting the constituents. A novel synthesis methodology will be developed to create multifunctional epoxy curing agents in conjunction with isocyanate functionalized graphene-oxide (IF-GO), which is a high-performance nano-reinforcement. SMP as the host matrix material will provide additional properties such as increased storage and loss modulus. The mechanophore molecules grafted on to the host SMP matrix will fluoresce when strained to near-yield and will indicate damage precursors and early stages of damage in the composite structure. In addition, the mechanophore can regenerate covalent bond after bond breakage when exposed to ultraviolet light; this will help restore the mechanical properties prior to damage and provide self-healing capability. The IF-GO will increase interfacial adhesion, and interfacial strength and toughness, leading to significant improvements in mechanical properties. Increase in thermal and electrical conductivity of the host mechanophore functionalized SMP matrix (MF-SMP) matrix will allow resistive-heating of the composite for controllable stiffness and damping response. Additionally, IF-GO will provide hydrophobicity to the matrix material, leading to better moisture resistance and improved hygrothermal properties. A predictive analysis methodology will be developed, combining a new coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD)-based model within a multiscale analysis framework, to study the effects of molecular interactions of the novel polymer on the micro/meso/macroscopic response of the composite. The outputs from this simulation framework will provide insight into the optimal choice of chemical and material constituents resulting in multiscale material architectures with effectively coupled chemical, electrical, mechanical, thermal properties and capabilities of damage sensing, signaling and healing. Experiments will be conducted to characterize the novel polymer, investigate the material properties, and assess the anticipated structural scale attributes and performance. Test specimens and structures will be fabricated with different fiber architectures and a focused set of static, quasi-static and dynamic tests will be conducted to evaluate the structural scale response. Systematic integration of testing and modeling will lead to stronger and lighter multifunctional composites with superior properties and environmental resistance. Following are the specific research tasks: Task1: Synthesis of Mechanophore Functionalized Shape Memory Polymer; Task 2: Property Enhancement using Functionalized Graphene Oxide; Task 3: Fabrication of Multifunctional Composite and Structural-scale Testing; Task 4: Multiscale Modeling; Task 5: Integration of Synthesis, Testing, and Simulations. The research will be conducted by an interdisciplinary research team with specific expertise in materials and multiscale structural mechanics. The team will collaborate with navy researchers during the project period to ensure relevance and possible transition of the research to applications. We anticipate the research findings to generate new paradigms for composite materials for the US Navy and other DOD assets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112322
Entities
People
- Aditi Chattopadhyay
Organizations
- Arizona State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy