3D printable thermoplastic polyurethane blends with thermal energy storage/release capabilities

Rigotti, Daniele; Dorigato, Andrea; Pegoretti, Alessandro

doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.03.009

Cited by 54 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…On the other hand, the failure properties are further reduced at elevated MC concentrations. As already reported in our previous work on polymer composites with TES capability, this behavior is probably due to the nonoptimal adhesion between MC and the polymer matrixes. In these conditions, MC adds micrometer‐sized defects within the materials, which lead to the premature failure of the samples.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Application of the thermal energy storage concept to novel epoxy–short carbon fiber composites

Dorigato

Fredi

Pegoretti

2019

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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For the first time, multifunctional epoxy-short carbon fiber reinforced composites suitable for thermal energy storage technology were developed. Paraffin microcapsules (MC) and short carbon fibers (CFs) were added at different relative amounts to an epoxy matrix, and the microstructural and thermomechanical properties of the resulting materials were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy images of the composites showed a uniform distribution of the capsules within the matrix, with a rather good interfacial adhesion, while the increase in the polymer viscosity at elevated CF and MC amounts caused an increase in the void content. Differential scanning calorimetry tests revealed that melting enthalpy values (up to 60 J/g) can be obtained at high MC concentrations. The mixing and thermal curing of the composites did not lead to breakage of the capsules and to the consequent leakage of the paraffin out of the epoxy matrix. The thermal stability of the prepared composites is not negatively affected by the MC addition, and the temperatures at which the thermal degradation process begins were far above the curing or service temperature of the composites. Flexural and impact tests highlighted that the presence of MC reduces the mechanical properties of the samples, while CF positively contributes to retaining the original stiffness and mechanical resistance.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Application of the thermal energy storage concept to novel epoxy–short carbon fiber composites

Dorigato

Fredi

Pegoretti

2019

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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“…FFF is a technology which allows the production of complex three-dimensional objects starting from a computer-aided design computer aided design (CAD) model. The model, in order to be recognized by the printer, is first converted into digital format and then, using a specific software, is sliced into layers [47][48][49]. Then, the model is ready for starting the printing process [50].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Poly(Caprolactone)/Epoxy Blends by Additive Manufacturing

2020

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The aim of this work was the development of a thermoplastic/thermosetting combined system with a novel production technique. A poly(caprolactone) (PCL) structure has been designed and produced by fused filament fabrication, and impregnated with an epoxy matrix. The mechanical properties, fracture toughness, and thermal healing capacities of this blend (EP-PCL(3D)) were compared with those of a conventional melt mixed poly(caprolactone)/epoxy blend (EP-PCL). The fine dispersion of the PCL domains within the epoxy in the EP-PCL samples was responsible of a noticeable toughening effect, while in the EP-PCL(3D) structure the two phases showed an independent behavior, and fracture propagation in the epoxy was followed by the progressive yielding of the PCL domains. This peculiar behavior of EP-PCL(3D) system allowed the PCL phase to express its full potential as energy absorber under impact conditions. Optical microscope images on the fracture surfaces of the EP-PCL(3D) samples revealed that during fracture toughness tests the crack mainly propagated within the epoxy phase, while PCL contributed to energy absorption through plastic deformation. Due to the selected PCL concentration in the blends (35 vol %) and to the discrepancy between the mechanical properties of the constituents, the healing efficiency values of the two systems were rather limited.Materials 2020, 13, 819 2 of 17 processing and mixing steps are very important to obtain a good morphology and high mechanical properties. Epoxy/thermoplastic polymer blends can be produced through mechanical methods, by using batch or continuous mixers [27] or continuous polymerization reactors [28]. In the low-shear batch mixers, the thermosetting epoxy resin base is heated at high temperature to allow a better homogenization and dispersion with the thermoplastic powders, and then the curing agent is added. After degassing, the mixture can be either partially cured and then quenched or directly casted into molds for final curing. This type of mixing is not efficient for concentrations of the thermoplastic phase higher than about 30 wt %, because the viscosity of the system becomes too high to allow an efficient process. Epoxy/thermoplastic polymer blends can be also produced through non-mechanical methods, such as solvent casting, resonant acoustic mixers, and in-situ polymerization processes. Depending on the chemical nature of the constituents and on the processing route, different morphologies can be obtained for epoxy/thermoplastics blends. Homogeneous microstructures can be produced when the thermoplastic phase is soluble in the epoxy matrix and if this condition is maintained during the curing process. The homogeneity can be either due to low concentration of the thermoplastic component or due to the good affinity between the different phases. Examples of epoxy blends which remain homogeneous are those with polycarbonate and poly(ε-caprolactone) [29,30]. Heterogeneous microstructures can be obtained either with an initial immiscible mixture or starting with a homo...

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“…The scientific literature reports many examples of thermoplastic or thermosetting matrices containing microencapsulated or shape‐stabilized PCMs , which is a signal of the increasing interest of the scientific community for this topic. However, no studies are available on the influence of PCM microcapsules on the processability and the thermo‐mechanical properties of a reactive thermoplastic matrix.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel reactive thermoplastic resin as a matrix for laminates containing phase change microcapsules

2019

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This work aims at developing multifunctional thermoplastic laminates combining structural and heat storage/ management functions. The laminates are constituted by paraffin microcapsules as phase change materials (PCM), continuous carbon fibers, and a novel thermoplastic liquid methyl methacrylate resin (Elium), processable as a thermoset. The characterization aims to study how the paraffin microcapsules influence the thermo-mechanical properties and thermal management performance of Elium and of the relative composite laminates. For the Elium/PCM systems, the phase change enthalpy increased with the experimental PCM concentration up to 101 J/g, but the mechanical properties decreased concurrently. The melting enthalpy of the laminates also increased with the microcapsule amount, up to 66.8 J/g, which indicates that the mild conditions applied in the processing of the liquid resin allow the integrity of the microcapsules to be preserved. This is also confirmed by the improved thermal management performance observed through thermal camera imaging measurements. Microscopy techniques showed that the PCM phase is preferentially distributed in the interlaminar region, which accounts for the observed decrease in the interlaminar strength and the flexural properties with an increase in the PCM content. These results show a potential for the future development of multifunctional thermoplastic composites with elevated thermal energy storage capabilities. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3711-3724, 2019.

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3D printable thermoplastic polyurethane blends with thermal energy storage/release capabilities

Cited by 54 publications

References 23 publications

Application of the thermal energy storage concept to novel epoxy–short carbon fiber composites

Application of the thermal energy storage concept to novel epoxy–short carbon fiber composites

Novel Poly(Caprolactone)/Epoxy Blends by Additive Manufacturing

Novel reactive thermoplastic resin as a matrix for laminates containing phase change microcapsules

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