Recent Advances and Trends of Nanofilled/Nanostructured Epoxies

Abstract

This paper aims at reviewing the works published in the last five years (2016–2020) on polymer nanocomposites based on epoxy resins. The different nanofillers successfully added to epoxies to enhance some of their characteristics, in relation to the nature and the feature of each nanofiller, are illustrated. The organic–inorganic hybrid nanostructured epoxies are also introduced and their strong potential in many applications has been highlighted. The different methods and routes employed for the production of nanofilled/nanostructured epoxies are described. A discussion of the main properties and final performance, which comprise durability, of epoxy nanocomposites, depending on chemical nature, shape, and size of nanoparticles and on their distribution, is presented. It is also shown why an efficient uniform dispersion of the nanofillers in the epoxy matrix, along with strong interfacial interactions with the polymeric network, will guarantee the success of the application for which the nanocomposite is proposed. The mechanisms yielding to the improved properties in comparison to the neat polymer are illustrated. The most important applications in which these new materials can better exploit their uniqueness are finally presented, also evidencing the aspects that limit a wider diffusion.

Cold-Cured Bisphenolic Epoxy Adhesive Filled with Low Amounts of CaCO3: Effect of the Filler on the Durability to Aqueous Environments

“…Although the use of nano-sized fillers has widely developed in recent years with the aim of providing the resins with new functions and improved performance [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], the use of microscopic fillers in epoxies still deserves attention and analysis, as these particles can give the resins improved properties at very low prices compared to the much more expensive nano-fillers. Moreover, the incorporation of micro-fillers into the resin involves fewer technological problems than the inclusion of the nano-particles, such as the achievement of a homogeneous dispersion of the nano-phases in the epoxy matrix: this aspect represents a further advantage.…”

Reliability and Thermal Aging of Polymers Intended to Severe Operating Conditions

“…Table 2 shows the maximum temperature obtained using (Equation 1) and the calculation parameters indicated in Note 2 (at the bottom of the Table). 2 The following parameters have been used for the calculation: normal operating temperature (Ts) = 33 °C; operation time = 10 years; activation energy (Ea) according to EPRI TR 1009748 for NBR = 0.88 [9].…”

“…A very representative example is the thermal aging mechanism that severely affects materials that are ultimately intended to operate in a harsh operating environment as that of a nuclear reactor. Reliability evaluation plays an important role in the design and development of any engineering system [1]; thus, some studies [2,3] have correlated main polymer properties with final performance and durability.…”

Reliability Prediction of Acrylonitrile O-Ring for Nuclear Power Applications Based on Shore Hardness Measurements

“…Reliability evaluation plays an important role in the design and development of any engineering system [ 18 ]; thus, some studies [ 19 , 20 ] have correlated the main polymer properties with final performance and durability. Lifetime prediction of elastomer components is a very challenging task due to different factors.…”