Nanostructured forms of carbon can be incorporated into epoxy resin to confer self-sensing properties, heating ability, auto-repair function, damage monitoring function, etc. The curing process of epoxy composites is currently based almost exclusively on thermal curing cycles, for which an oven or an autoclave is used [4]. Alternative curing methods for composite manufacturers are of great industrial interest and can help save energy. In this paper, an alternative curing strategy, based on the application of an electric field, is proposed. The resin is obtained through the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (3% by weight), which act as nanometric heater elements in the epoxy matrix. The electro-curing is activated by applying an external electric power, which allows tunable cross-linking within the epoxy matrix entrapped between the nanotubes. The electro-curing method allows for reaching higher Curing Degrees (C.D. = 100%) with respect to the conventional process in the oven (C.D. =100%).The increase of the temperature must be accurately controlled by adjusting the applied power and choosing electro-curing cycles suitable to obtain a good compromise between the material performance and the energy employed. When a single electro-curing cycle is used, although the C.D. is 100%, the sample evidences numerous trapped bubbles. Whereas, the use of a double electro-curing cycle limits the autocatalytic nature of the crosslinking reactions, avoiding the formation of bubbles and locally degraded regions.

Electro-Curing: New strategy for the curing of epoxynanocomposites

Liberata Guadagno
2022-01-01

Abstract

Nanostructured forms of carbon can be incorporated into epoxy resin to confer self-sensing properties, heating ability, auto-repair function, damage monitoring function, etc. The curing process of epoxy composites is currently based almost exclusively on thermal curing cycles, for which an oven or an autoclave is used [4]. Alternative curing methods for composite manufacturers are of great industrial interest and can help save energy. In this paper, an alternative curing strategy, based on the application of an electric field, is proposed. The resin is obtained through the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (3% by weight), which act as nanometric heater elements in the epoxy matrix. The electro-curing is activated by applying an external electric power, which allows tunable cross-linking within the epoxy matrix entrapped between the nanotubes. The electro-curing method allows for reaching higher Curing Degrees (C.D. = 100%) with respect to the conventional process in the oven (C.D. =100%).The increase of the temperature must be accurately controlled by adjusting the applied power and choosing electro-curing cycles suitable to obtain a good compromise between the material performance and the energy employed. When a single electro-curing cycle is used, although the C.D. is 100%, the sample evidences numerous trapped bubbles. Whereas, the use of a double electro-curing cycle limits the autocatalytic nature of the crosslinking reactions, avoiding the formation of bubbles and locally degraded regions.
2022
9788836231041
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/4859558
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