Project Details
Projekt
Multifunctional Carbon Fibre Surface and Composite Interphase
Applicant
Dr.-Ing. Shanglin Gao, Ph.D.
Subject Area
Polymeric and Biogenic Materials and Derived Composites
Term
from 2014 to 2017
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 260863035
Multi-functions at conventional fibre surface and traditional composite interphases have been attracting extensive scientific attention in materials science and engineering. The investigation on the hierarchical nanostructured carbon fibre surface with nano-fillers (i.e. graphene nanoplateletes or carbon nanotubes) for developing multi-functional composite materials is yet to explore in details. No information on the role of the nanoparticles on strengthening the fibre tensile, interface and composite mechanical properties is available. In the proposal, carbon nanoparticle materials will be used to integrate mechanical and electrical functionalities into conventional carbon fibre surfaces and composite interphases. The interphase with a nanometre-scale composition/property gradient will be expected to achieve tailor mechanical properties. Importantly, we will highlight the self-diagnosing ability based on the electrical conducting carbon nano-filler networks on the fibre surface. We will identify that the originally weak point of a composite interphase can take over new roles for sensing applications. Understanding the structure forming and structural changes in response to stress/strain, temperature and moisture by structure health monitoring in composites will be studied. The composite materials with novel nanoscale interphase sensing capabilities could make the next generation of composites (i.e., for aeroplanes) safer by sensing cracks before they become critical, which may also find applications in many fields, such as smart composite fabrication, chemical reaction or liquid leak detection, et al.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
