The use of shape memory polymer composites is growing rapidly in smart structure applications. In this work, an active asymmetric composite called "controlled behavior composite material (CBCM)" is used as shape memory polymer composite. The programming and the corresponding initial fixity of the composite structure is obtained during a bending test, by heating CBCM above thermal glass transiti...

Understanding how nanoparticles (NPs) diffuse, stick, and assemble into larger structures within polymers is key to the design and fabrication of NP-polymer composites. Here we describe an approach for inferring the dynamic parameters of NP assembly from spatially and temporally disjointed images of composites. The approach involves iterative adjustment of the parameters of a kinetic model of a...

The aim of the work was examination of the dielectric properties of a new type of polymer nanocomposites based on PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), or a copolymer P(VDF-HFP) with addition of ferrite nanoparticles. The addition of nanofillers leads not only to the formation of polar -phase of PVDF, which shows unique piro-, piezoand ferroelectric properties used in many applications, but also aff...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The behavior of polymer-matrix composite is dependent on the degree of conversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of two resin cements following storage at 37°C immediately, 24 and 48 hours, and 7 days after light-curing by FTIR analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The specimens were made in a metallic mold and cured with blue LED with power dens...

This paper reviews the potential of polymer and ceramic matrix composites for aerospace/space vehicle applications. Special, unique and multifunctional properties arising due to the dispersion of nanoparticles in ceramic and metal matrix are briefly discussed followed by a classification of resulting aerospace applications. The paper presents polymer matrix composites comprising majority of aer...

Low density composites of sodium montmorillonite and poly(amide-imide) polymers have been created using an ice templating method, which serves as an alternative to the often-difficult foaming of high temperature/high performance polymers. The starting polymer was received in the poly(amic acid) form which can be cured using heat, into a water insoluble amide-imide copolymer. The resulting mater...

This paper introduces a technique of inducing bulk conductivity in a polymer. The technique uses coiled copper ‘cells’ embedded into a polymer during fabrication which can subsequently create highly redundant series-parallel networks. The preceding body of work aimed to improve the conductivity of non-conducting polymers by embedding particulates (of metal, carbon, etc.) into the polymer, or by...

Yittrium iron garnet, Y3Fe5O12 (YIG), is a material used widely in electronic devices for the microwave region as well as the magnetic bubble domain-type memories. Yittrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12) was produced by mechanochemical synthesis from Y2O3 and Fe2O3 with particle size of around 150 nm. PMMA/YIG composite films were prepared by solution casting method at diffferent concentration (i.e. 10...

In the current scenario, natural fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites are widely used in the areas of aerospace, automobile, sports and military sectors due to its multi-functional features like high specific strength, high corrosion resistance, flame resistance, improved mechanical properties and low cost when compared with artificial fiber reinforced composites. These polymer based nanocom...

Conducting polymers, because of their special properties, are used to introduce conductive polymeric composites. Also, clays have recently been used for preparation of polymer composites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The aim of this work is to study the synergetic effect of the co-presence of conducting polyaniline and montmorillonite in the polyethylene matrix. Polyethylene ...