Multi-functional nanotechnology integration for aeronautical structures performance enhancement

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the applicative potentiality of functional/self-responsive materials in aeronautics. In particular, the study aims to experimentally validate the enhancement of structural performances of carbon fibers samples in the presence of nanofillers, as multi-walled carbon nanontubes or microcapsules for the self-healing functionality. Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for a mechanical study. Experimental static and dynamic tests on “blank” and modified formulations were performed in order to estimate both strength and damping parameters. A cantilever beam test set-up has been proposed. As a parallel activity, a numerical FE approach has been introduced to assess the correct modeling of the system. Findings The paper provides practical and empirical insights about how self-responsive materials react to mechanical solicitations. It suggests that reinforcing a sample positively affects the samples properties since they, de facto, improve the global structural performance. This work highlights that the addition of carbon nanotubes strongly improves the mechanical properties with a simultaneous slight enhancement in the damping performance. Damping properties are, instead, strongly enhanced by the addition of self-healing components. A balanced combination of both fillers could be adopted to increase electrical conductivity and to improve global performance in damping and auto-repairing properties. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the use of lightweight composite materials in aeronautics. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study new lightweight self-responsive smart materials for aeronautical structural application.

Multifunctional Performance of a Nano-Modified Fiber Reinforced Composite Aeronautical Panel

“…The operative deflection shapes of the composite panels are shown in Figure 11 and the modal damping value are reported in Table 5. This behavior confirms relevant results assessed during previous studies conducted by the authors that already showed an increase of up to about 3.5% of modal damping compared to a standard epoxy formulation [44]. The achieved results are surely widely demonstrative of the nanotubes efficiency.…”

“…The major drawback in this case would be the unwanted reduction of elastic properties of the overall final composite. Previous research also demonstrated that noise and vibration control in aerospace composite structures can be favored with the use of nanotechnology [41,42,43,44,45]. This paper aims to develop structural composite materials with embedded integrated acoustic dumping functionality.…”

Reversible Self-Healing Carbon-Based Nanocomposites for Structural Applications

“…can be integrated into the materials/structures by exploiting the intrinsic electrical characteristics of the materials. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanostructured forms of carbon in polymeric matrices can simultaneously enhance not only the electrical conductivity and self-responsive smart functions, but also other desirable properties, such as thermal resistance, flame resistance, and durability [62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69].…”

Different Methods of Dispersing Carbon Nanotubes in Epoxy Resin and Initial Evaluation of the Obtained Nanocomposite as a Matrix of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Laminate in Terms of Vibroacoustic Performance and Flammability

“…Nanofilled epoxy resins are unique with respect to other materials for their tailorability and the broad range of properties and related applications. They can be designed to have many distinct properties that may be exploited to develop the next generation of functional or self-responsive materials [21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. In particular, thermosetting resins filled with specific nanostructured particles can be manufactured to manifest enhanced mechanical, acoustic, electrical, and flame-resistance properties [25,32,33].…”