AUTOMOTIVE AND AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS

Polymers reinforced with cellulose fibers have received much attention in recent years because of their low density, nonabrasive, combustible, nontoxic, low cost and biodegradable properties. Several authors have reviewed recent advances in the use of natural fibers in composites like flax [ 1 ], jute [2,3], straw [4], kenaf [5,6], coir [7-9], fique [10], among others. Natural fibers have been used to reinforce thermoplastics and thermosets polymers in automotive and aerospace applications [11]. The influence of surface treatments of natural fibers on interfadal characteristics was also studied [12-17], and Joshi et al. [18] compared the life-cycle environmental performance of natural fiber composites with glass fiber composites. In this study, natural fiber composites were found to be environmentally superior in most applications. 

MEMS for automotive and aerospace applications Edited by M. Kraft and N. M. White... 

Eow-friction linings for push-pull control cables that require no lubrication can be made with PTFE. Such cables are used in automotive and aerospace applications. 

Essentially, these are high-performance TPEs. Even though they are more expensive, they impart to the product better physical properties, a broader useful temperature range, and some oil resistance. As a result, these TPEs are used in demanding automotive and aerospace applications as well as in other markets. 

Victrex, the main PEEK supplier, is also developing new products. In 2002, Victrex introduced PEEK-HT , a cost- and weight-saving alternative to metal for industrial, automotive and aerospace applications that demand superior higher temperature resistance. The semi-crystalline, unreinforced polymer is claimed to offer all the key characteristics of natural PEEK pol mer, including toughness, strength and chemical resistance. ... 

A. Tiwaii and L. H. Hihara, Novel Silicone Ceramer Coatings for Aluminum Protection , in A. S. H. Makhlouf (Ed.) High Performance Coatings for Automotive and Aerospace Applications, 2010. Hauppauge Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 

PEI is known for long-term heat resistance, dimensional stability, and excellent stability of physical and mechanical properties at elevated temperatures. It has predictable stiffness and strength up to 200 °C. It also has inherent flame resistance and is difficult to ignite. PEI is used in medical and chemical instrumentation because of their heat resistance, solvent resistance, and flame resistance. It is also used in electri-cal/electronic applications, and automotive and aerospace applications. 

Industrial applications of PEEK take advantage of the outstanding thermal properties, and include use in high-performance automotive and aerospace components, and in printed circuit boards. 

Silicones are widely used in many applications, such as pharmaceutical, medical, wire and cable, automotive and aerospace, which utilise the excellent general inertness of silicone. They do, however, have a high price. 

The use of advanced composites has increased significantly in the last decade. The properties of high-specific strength and stiffness make composites ideal for many aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure applications. Fiber-reinforced composites, which commonly use thermosetting resins such as epoxies as the matrix material, have some inherent deficiencies. These include the need for multistep processing, limited shelf-life, low toughness, sensitivity to moisture, and the inability to reprocess or reform the material [1]. 

In automotive and aerospace end uses, the applications are also often electrical. Polysulfones do not have as good solvent resistance as poly(phenylene sulfide). They perform well in hydrocarbons like gasoline and oil, or in antifreeze, but are attacked by the alcohol-blend fuel mixtures. This may limit their under-the-hood applications. 

Foams have a large variety of applications. Solid foams are widely used as insulating materials. Due to the presence of air bubbles they have a low thermal conductivity. Polyurethane foams and Styrofoam are examples. Styrofoam is also used as a packing material. The light weight of polymer foams makes them attractive as filling materials to stabilize otherwise hollow structures. A natural solid foam is pumice stone. Metal foams are used in the automotive and aerospace industry as light and stable materials [567], Ceramic foams are developed for electronic applications as piezoelectric transducers and low dielectric constant substrates [568],... 

The application of corrosion-resistant primers has become standard practice for the structural bonding of aluminum in the automotive and aerospace industries. The adhesive-primer combinations are chosen to provide both maximum durability in severe environments and higher initial joint strength. Improved service life is typically achieved by establishing strong and moisture-resistant interfacial bonds and protecting the substrates surface region from hydration and corrosion. 

Potential applications in remote-controlled flying cameras, rotor blades of wind power plants, as well as replacing conventional metal and ceramic-based composites in automotive and aerospace components are under development. 

The resulting poly(oxy-1,4-phenylene sulfonyl-1,4-phenylene) (PES), CAS 25667-42-9, is a valuable polymer used to make various household appliances, medical devices, automotive parts, etc. The polymer can be shaped by thermoforming and is used in various composite materials. It has good fire safety characteristics and meets the requirements for direct food contact. Other polyethersulfones with structures similar to PES also have important practical applications and are used for the manufacturing of different appliances, cookware, automotive and aerospace components, etc. 

Some examples of applications of neutron and synchrotron radiation diffraction applied to the determination of residual stresses in various industrial and technological components have been presented. The reliability of the technique has been shown, being able to determine residual stresses induced by various thermomechanical treatments, such as shrink-fit joints, welds and surface treatments in automotive and aerospace materials. It has been shown how, by this method, it is possible to determine stresses both in the coating and in the substrate of plasma-spray deposed hydroxyapatite layers on Ti alloy for biomedical applications. 

Highly cross-linked epoxy resins combine high strength stiffness thermal, chemical, and environmental stability adhesion low weight processability excellent creep resistance and favorable economics. These resins are widely applied as coatings, casting resins, structural adhesives, and matrix resins of advanced composite materials. The broad spectrum of applications ranges from the automotive and aerospace industries to corrosion protection and microelectronics. 

The B2 phase NiTi has been used for 30 years as a shape memory alloy for couplings, fasteners, connectors, and actuators in automotive and aerospace industries, electronics, mechanical engineering and medical applications (Schmidt-Mende and Block, 1989 Stockel, 1989 Thier, 1989 Hodgson, 1990 Stoeckel, 1990). NiTi melts congruently at 1310°C and has an extended homogeneity range (Massalski etal., 1990). 

---