Applications of polymer-based composites

As discussed previously, polyesters increase in hardness at high temperatures, because heat leads to the formation of cross-linked chemical bonds between the polymer chains, providing a strong permanent structure which is maintained even under extreme conditions (chemical stress, exposure to radiation, and so on). The properties of reinforced polyesters are often therefore more suitable than those of conventional stmctural materials for a number of applications, especially for longer use. Polymers are also more environmentally friendly than alternative materials over their whole life cycle, and can be widely reused, as well as having low maintenance costs. Their average life cycle is 40 years (with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 90) in the construction industry. 

The different application areas of polyesters are summarized in Fig. 3.10. Polyesters and their composites are used mainly in transportation (in the manufacture of cars and other vehicles), in the marine and shipping industry. 

11 Polyester manufacturing processes (based on http //www.azom. com/article.aspx ArticlelD=352) [55]. 

Polymers, and particularly polyesters, are widely used in the automotive industry. Nowadays an average car contains over 100 kg of plastics without plastics, the car would be 200-300 kg heavier, which is equivalent to an extra 0.5-0.9 litres of fuel consumption per 100 km. More than 1,000 different car parts can be made of polymers, but the types of polymers are limited, with fewer than 15 different polymers used. The Chevy Volt, a prototype of an electric car, was introduced by General Motors in 2009 and consists of a variety of polymers. Tests have shown that the car could offer fuel savings of up to 2000 litres a year. Moreover, the elements made from special polymer composites had better resistance against environmental and mechanical factors [26-30]. In the aerospace industry, Kazmerski et al. introduced a new use for reinforced composites in aircraft. It was demonstrated that 6000 rivets and 300 metallic parts of the Airbus A 340 aircraft could be replaeed by 100 composite elements, for example, in the turbine wings, aehieving a two-ton weight reduction [7, 31]. 

Other specialized areas in which polyesters are used include pasted laminated wooden beams, wooden pressboards, carpet underlay, larger beams, wood covering materials, pipes, piles, traffic accessories, reinforced tables, and so on. In one specific study, Garcia-Guinea et al. (1998) constructed the first organ made from marble and thermoset polymer. Thermoset composites were used to connect the marble parts of the instrument and to cover certain parts of it. The instrument has the same functional properties 

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Problems Related to Application of Polymer-Based Composites in Gas Sensors... 

With the advent of nanomaterials, different types of polymer-based composites developed as multiple scale analysis down to the nanoscale became a trend for development of new materials with new properties. Multiscale materials modeling continue to play a role in these endeavors as well. For example, Qian et al. [257] developed multiscale, multiphysics numerical tools to address simulations of carbon nanotubes and their associated effects in composites, including the mechanical properties of Young s modulus, bending stiffness, buckling, and strength. Maiti [258] also used multiscale modeling of carbon nanotubes for microelectronics applications. Friesecke and James [259] developed a concurrent numerical scheme to evaluate nanotubes and nanorods in a continuum. 

The use of polymer-based composites has been Increasing rapidly in recent years. Mica has been an important mineral filler in the evolution of composites, its use being favored particularly in mechanical and in electrical insulation applications because of its well-proven insulating properties, its relative abundance, low cost and environmental safety. 

V Alstadt, R W Lang and A Neu, The influence of resin, fibre and interface on delamination fatigue crack growth of composites . Durability of Polymer-based Composite Systems for Structural Applications, ed. A H Cardon and G Verchery, London, Elsevier Applied Science, 1991, p 180. 

Durability of Polymer-Based Composites for Structural Applications, A. H. Cardon and G. Verchery Eds., Elsevier Applied Science New York (1991). 

Besides clay-based nanocomposites, there has been huge discussion on the metallic and semiconductor-based hybrid materials. The ability of polymer materials to assemble into nanostructures describes the use of polymers providing exquisite order to nanoparticles. Finally, a discussion on potential applications of polymer—nanoparticle composites with a special focus on the use of dendrite polymers and nanoparticles for catalysis should follow (Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites Part 1 (Nanotechnology), 2010) (Figure 1.15). 

Effect of Thermo-Oxidation on the Mechanical Performance of Polymer Based Composites for High Temperature Applications... 

Abstract In the present study the effect of thermo-oxidation on the mechanical properties of polymer based composites has been reported for high temperature applications. The polymer based composites with high thermal stability and future trend towards modification of this type of composites have been discussed here. 

Roy, C., Allard,]., Maslouhi, A., Piasta, Z. (1991) Pattern recognition characterization of microfailures in composites via analytical quantitative acoustic emission, in Proc. Int. Coll. Durability of Polymer Based Composite Systems for Structural Applications , A.H. Cardon and G. Verchery eds, London Elsevier Applied Science, 312-24. 

French MA, Pritchard G (1991) Strength retention of glass/carbon hybrid laminates in aqueous media (chap. 46). In Cardon AH, Verchery G (eds) Durability of polymer based composite systems for structural applications. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 345-354... 

Nakanishi Y, Shindo A (1982) Deterioration of CERP and GFRP in salt water. In Hayashi T, Kawata K, Unlekawa S (eds) Proceedings of the fourth international conference on composite materials (ICCM/4), vol 2, Tokyo. ISBS, Beaverton, OR, pp 1009-1016 Nicolais L, Apicella A, Del Nobile MA, Mensitieri G (1991) Solvent sorption synergy in PEEK. In Cardon AH, Verchery G (eds) Durability of polymer based composite systems for structural applications. Elsevier Applied Science, New York, pp 99-115 Nicolais L, Drioli E, Hopfenberg H, Caricati G (1978) Diffusion-controlled penetration of polymethyl methacrylate sheets by monohydric normal alcohols. J Membr Sci 3(2) 231-245... 

Thermally conductive polymer composites offer new possibilities for replacing metal parts in electric systems. The advantages of polymer composites as compared to metals include improved corrosion resistance, lighter weight, and the ability to adapt the conductivity properties to suit the application needs [5]. Due to the fact that most polymers show a rather low thermal conductivity, the addition of conductive fillers is commonly used to enhance the thermal transport of polymer-based composites [2]. 

Most of the important applications of polymer-based nanocomposites have been realized in the optical area by the interesting association of the organic and inorganic components. Usually, optical composites are seen to be mixtures of a functional material and a processable matrix [49]. Optically functional parts include quantum-confined semiconductors, inorganic oxides, organic materials (small molecules), and polymers. The processable matrix materials are usually polymers but can also be copolymers, polymer blends, glass, or ceramics. 

Liu et al., 2005). Chemical functionalization can improve strength, thermal, electronical properties of polymer/CNT composites and will play a key role in future development and applications of CNT-based nanocomposites. 

The competition between different plate materials or plates has become more severe in recent years this is beneficial for fuel cell design and allows manufacturing companies to make a better choice. The major competition is focused on polymer-based composite plates and metal plates. As qualitatively shown in Table 5.4, each material has its advantages and shortcomings. To this end, it is difficult and also too early to make a judgment on which of these two plate materials is better. In addition, as mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, with different market applications, the fuel cells. 

Nanocomposites with good thermal conductivity (k) have potential applications in printed circuit boards. The thermal conductivity of connectors is in the order of 103 W/(m-K), while typical thermoplastics have k 0.1 W/(m K). A theoretical model was proposed by Nan et al. to predict the thermal conductivity of CNT-based composites (75,76). Theoretically, the thermal conductivity of the composites filled with 0.1 wt% MWNTs can be six times that of neat polymers. 

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