Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability
The thermal stability of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials is constrained by the low thermal conductivity of its polymer matrix, resulting in inefficient heat dissipation, local overheating, and accelerated degradation during thermal loads. To overcome these limitations, composite mat...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Johannes Bibinger Sebastian Eibl Hans-Joachim Gudladt Philipp Höfer |
| author_facet | Johannes Bibinger Sebastian Eibl Hans-Joachim Gudladt Philipp Höfer |
| author_sort | Johannes Bibinger |
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| description | The thermal stability of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials is constrained by the low thermal conductivity of its polymer matrix, resulting in inefficient heat dissipation, local overheating, and accelerated degradation during thermal loads. To overcome these limitations, composite materials can be modified with buckypapers—thin, densely interconnected layers of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In this study, sixteen 8552/IM7 prepreg plies were processed with up to nine buckypapers and strategically placed at various positions. The resulting nanocomposites were evaluated for manufacturability, material properties, and thermal resistance. The findings reveal that prepreg plies provide only limited matrix material for buckypaper infiltration. Nonetheless, up to five buckypapers, corresponding to 8 wt.% CNTs, can be incorporated into the material without inducing matrix depletion defects. This integration significantly enhances the material’s thermal properties while maintaining its mechanical integrity. The nanotubes embedded in the matrix achieve an effective thermal conductivity of up to 7 W/(m·K) based on theoretical modeling. As a result, under one-sided thermal irradiation at 50 kW/m<sup>2</sup>, thermo-induced damage and strength loss can be delayed by up to 20%. Therefore, thermal resistance is primarily determined by the nanotube concentration, whereas the arrangement of the buckypapers affects the material quality. Since this innovative approach enables the targeted integration of high particle fractions, it offers substantial potential for improving the safety and reliability of CFRP under thermal stress. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2b9d7285e154baea3c3eb34d16d7f91 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a2b9d7285e154baea3c3eb34d16d7f912025-08-20T03:08:06ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-07-011514108110.3390/nano15141081Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal StabilityJohannes Bibinger0Sebastian Eibl1Hans-Joachim Gudladt2Philipp Höfer3Institute of Lightweight Engineering, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, GermanyBundeswehr Research Institute for Materials, Fuels and Lubricants, 85435 Erding, GermanyInstitute of Materials Science, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, GermanyInstitute of Lightweight Engineering, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, 85577 Neubiberg, GermanyThe thermal stability of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials is constrained by the low thermal conductivity of its polymer matrix, resulting in inefficient heat dissipation, local overheating, and accelerated degradation during thermal loads. To overcome these limitations, composite materials can be modified with buckypapers—thin, densely interconnected layers of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In this study, sixteen 8552/IM7 prepreg plies were processed with up to nine buckypapers and strategically placed at various positions. The resulting nanocomposites were evaluated for manufacturability, material properties, and thermal resistance. The findings reveal that prepreg plies provide only limited matrix material for buckypaper infiltration. Nonetheless, up to five buckypapers, corresponding to 8 wt.% CNTs, can be incorporated into the material without inducing matrix depletion defects. This integration significantly enhances the material’s thermal properties while maintaining its mechanical integrity. The nanotubes embedded in the matrix achieve an effective thermal conductivity of up to 7 W/(m·K) based on theoretical modeling. As a result, under one-sided thermal irradiation at 50 kW/m<sup>2</sup>, thermo-induced damage and strength loss can be delayed by up to 20%. Therefore, thermal resistance is primarily determined by the nanotube concentration, whereas the arrangement of the buckypapers affects the material quality. Since this innovative approach enables the targeted integration of high particle fractions, it offers substantial potential for improving the safety and reliability of CFRP under thermal stress.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1081carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)buckypapercarbon nanotube (CNT)improved heat resistanceprediction model for thermal properties |
| spellingShingle | Johannes Bibinger Sebastian Eibl Hans-Joachim Gudladt Philipp Höfer Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability Nanomaterials carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) buckypaper carbon nanotube (CNT) improved heat resistance prediction model for thermal properties |
| title | Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability |
| title_full | Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability |
| title_fullStr | Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability |
| title_short | Buckypapers in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: A Pathway to Superior Thermal Stability |
| title_sort | buckypapers in polymer based nanocomposites a pathway to superior thermal stability |
| topic | carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) buckypaper carbon nanotube (CNT) improved heat resistance prediction model for thermal properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1081 |
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