This work presents an insight into the effect of conductive filler content on both electrical and thermal properties of a polymer composite system. The electrical conductivity of an insulating polymer can be achieved by dispersing conducting fillers (e.g., metal, graphite powder, carbon black, carbon fiber) in the polymer matrix. The resulting materials are referred to as conducting polymer com...

in the current paper, finite element method is employed for numerical simulations and the study of influential parameters on elastic modulus of polymer-matrix nano-composites. effects of different key parameters including particle elastic modulus, interphase elastic modulus, matrix elastic modulus, interphase thickness and particle volume fraction on total elastic modulus of nano-composite mate...

Since the last decade, research activities in the area of nano-materials have been increased dramatically. More than a 1000 of journal articles in this area have been published within the last 3 years. Materials scientists and researchers have realized that the mechanical properties of materials can be altered at the fundamental level, i.e. the atomic-scale. Carbon nanotubes (hereafter called ‘...

In recent years bio-based polymer composites have been the subject of many scientific and research projects, as well as many commercial programs. Growing global environmental and social concern, the high rate of depletion of petroleum resources and new environmental regulations have forced the search for new composites and green materials, compatible with the environment. The aim of this articl...

Research at the Materials Research Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University has demonstrated the potential for improving hydrophone performance using piezoelectric ceramic/polymer composites. As part of an ONR-funded initiative to develop cost-effective manufacturing technology for these composites, Materials Systems is pursuing an injection molding ceramic fabrication approach. This paper bri...

Polymer/ceramic composites with controlled spatial distribution of fillers are synthesized, and the corresponding changes in their properties are studied. Using dielectrophoretic assembly, we create anisotropic composites of aligned BaTiO3 particles in silicone elastomer and study their electrical properties as a function of ceramic volume fraction and composite morphology. These structured com...

We introduce a model for prediction the behavior of electrodes which modified withcarbon nanotubes in a polymer medium. These kinds of polymer composites aredeveloped in recent years, and experimental data for its percolation threshold isavailable. We construct a model based on percolation theory and fractal dimensionsand using experimental percolation threshold for calculating the moments of c...

This talk starts with a review of the different strategies to incorporate nanocarbons (CNTs, graphene) inpolymer matrices and their relative merit in terms of mechanical reinforcement, improvement inelectrical/thermal conductivity and emergence of other functional properties, such as sensingcapabilities [1] [2]. Three types of nanocomposites are discussed: the first type corresponds...

In this paper, a new cohesive interface model is applied to characterize carbon nanotube (CNT) composites using the boundary element method (BEM). In the previous BEM models of CNT composites, a rigid-inclusion model was employed to represent the CNTs in a polymer matrix due to their extremely high stiffness as compared with the polymer. Perfect bonding interface conditions between the CNT fibe...

Nanoparticles with sizes ranging between objects and microparticles (e.g. atom) have attracted much attention. These particles with various specialized functions not only deepen our understanding of nature, but also serve as the basis for the development of new advanced technology. The successful application of nanoparticles depends upon both the synthesis and the surface modification of these ...