Recent Advances and Trends of Nanofilled/Nanostructured Epoxies

Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Epoxy Hybrid System Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoparticles

This study focuses on epoxy hybrid systems prepared by incorporating multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) at two fixed filler amounts: below (0.1 wt%) and above (0.5 wt%), with varying MWCNT:GN mix ratios. The hybrid epoxy systems exhibited remarkable electrical performance, attributed to the π-π bond interactions between the multi-wall carbon nanotubes and the graphene layers dispersed in the epoxy resin matrix. The material's properties were characterized through dynamic mechanical and thermal analyses over a wide range of temperatures. In addition to excellent electrical properties, the formulated hybrid systems demonstrated high mechanical performance and thermal stability. Notably, the glass transition temperature of the samples reached 255 °C, and high storage modulus values at elevated temperatures were observed. The hybrid systems also displayed thermal stability up to 360 °C in air. By comparing the mechanical and electrical performance, the formulation can be optimized in terms of the electrical percolation threshold (EPT), electrical conductivity, thermostability, and mechanical parameters. This research provides valuable insights for designing advanced epoxy-based materials with multifunctional properties.

Adhesive Joint Degradation Due to Hardener-to-Epoxy Ratio Inaccuracy under Varying Curing and Thermal Operating Conditions

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of adhesive joint strength with consideration of the inaccuracy of the hardener dosage, in the context of evaluating the degradation of joints when used either at ambient or elevated temperatures. The butt joint strength characteristics were assessed for two types of adhesives-rigid and flexible-and two curing scenarios-with and without heat curing. An excess hardener was shown to be significantly more unfavourable than its deficiency, which can ultimately be considered as a recommendation for forming epoxy adhesive joint assemblies. In order to fully understand the relationship between the analysed mechanical properties of the material and the influence of component ratio excesses and heating, a process of fitting basic mathematical models to the obtained experimental data was also performed.

Properties and Simulating Research of Epoxy Resin/Micron-SiC/Nano-SiO2 Composite

The dielectric behavior of insulations is a key factor affecting the development of anti-corona materials for generators. Epoxy resin (EP), as the matrix, is blended with inorganic fillers of micron SiC and nano SiO2 to investigate the effect of micro and nano doping on the conductivity and breakdown mechanism of the composites. Using experimental and simulation analysis, it is found that the effect of nano-SiO2 doping concentration on the conductivity is related to the dispersion of SiC particles. The lower concentration of SiO2 could decrease the conductivity of the composites. The conductivity increases with raising the nano-SiO2 doping concentration to a critical value. Meanwhile, the breakdown field strength of the composites decreases with the rising content of SiC in constant SiO2 and increases with more SiO2 when mixed with invariable SiC. When an equivalent electric field is applied to the samples, the electric field at the interface of micron particles is much stronger than the average field of the dielectric, close to the critical electric field of the tunneling effect. The density of the homopolar space charge bound to the surface of the stator bar elevates as the concentration of filled nanoparticles increases, by which a more effective Coulomb potential shield can be built to inhibit the further injection of carriers from the electrode to the interior of the anti-corona layer, thus reducing the space charge accumulation in the anti-corona layer as well as increasing the breakdown field strength of the dielectric.

Influence of Nanofillers on Adhesion Properties of Polymeric Composites

Nanofillers (NFs) are becoming a ubiquitous choice for applications in different technological innovations in various fields, from biomedical devices to automotive product portfolios. Potential physical attributes like large surface areas, high surface energy, and lower structural imperfections make NFs a popular filler over microfillers. One specific application, where NFs are finding applications, is in adhesive science and technology. Incorporating NFs in the adhesive matrix is seen to tune the adhesives' different properties like wettability, rheology, etc. Additionally, the functional benefits (like electrical/thermal conductivity) of these NFs are translated into the adhesives' properties. Such an improvement in the properties is far to achieve using microfillers in the adhesive matrix. This mini-review provides an account of the impact of the addition of various nanofillers (NFs) on the properties of the adhesive composition.

Study of Graphene Epoxy/Nanoplatelets Thin Films Subjected to Aging in Corrosive Environments

The corrosion of metallic devices and degradation of plastic materials are a cause of great concern for companies and countries’ economies; it is necessary to contrast these phenomena by studying innovative methodologies and techniques. A simple solution lies in the realization of materials that can resist corrosive environments and be used as coatings to prevent, or at least delay, deterioration. The purpose of this work was to study the behavior of an epoxy resin, in thin film form, exposed to corrosive chemicals. In particular, the samples were subjected to aging of 31 days in dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and in an aqueous solution of potassium chloride (KCl). Subsequently, thin films of Epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) composite material have been subjected to the same conditions: it was investigated how these samples respond to the corrosive environment. We found that the addition of carbonaceous nanofillers prolongs in time the ability of the material to resist the attack of chemical agents.

Recent Advances on Thermally Conductive Adhesive in Electronic Packaging: A Review

The application of epoxy adhesive is widespread in electronic packaging. Epoxy adhesives can be integrated with various types of nanoparticles for enhancing thermal conductivity. The joints with thermally conductive adhesive (TCA) are preferred for research and advances in thermal management. Many studies have been conducted to increase the thermal conductivity of epoxy-based TCAs by conductive fillers. This paper reviews and summarizes recent advances of these available fillers in TCAs that contribute to electronic packaging. It also covers the challenges of using the filler as a nano-composite. Moreover, the review reveals a broad scope for future research, particularly on thermal management by nanoparticles and improving bonding strength in electronic packaging.

Super-Toughened Fumed-Silica-Reinforced Thiol-Epoxy Composites Containing Epoxide-Terminated Polydimethylsiloxanes

In response to the demand for high-performance materials, epoxy thermosetting and its composites are widely used in various industries. However, their poor toughness, resulting from the high crosslinking density of the epoxy network, must be improved to expand their application to the manufacturing of flexible products. In this study, ductile epoxy thermosetting was produced using thiol compounds with functionalities of 2 and 3 as curing agents. The mechanical properties of the epoxy were further enhanced by incorporating fumed silica into it. To increase the filler dispersion, epoxide-terminated polydimethylsiloxane was synthesized and used as a composite component. Thanks to the polysiloxane-silica interaction, the nanosilica was uniformly dispersed in the epoxy composites, and their mechanical properties improved with increasing fumed silica content up to 5 phr (parts per hundred parts of epoxy resin). The toughness and impact strength of the composite containing 5 phr nanosilica were 517 (±13) MJ/m³ and 69.8 (±1.3) KJ/m², respectively.

Simplified Testing of the Bond Strength of Adhesives Used for Bonded Anchors

The analysis presented in this paper is focused on problems of bond strength as an overall bond quality parameter of industrial adhesives for structural anchoring. In the first part, the problem of bond strength as the most important parameter influencing the final anchor resistance to tension load is described. Further in the text, a new methodology of simplified testing of the strength parameters of adhesives is described. Special test specimens made from steel are repeatedly used in this methodology. Additionally, results of these tests on some new recipes for adhesive are presented. Especially, epoxy resins with special fillers, such as carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes or graphene, were tested. The use of these adhesives in temperatures close to zero degrees Celsius was also tested.

Thermoelectric Performance of Mechanically Mixed BixSb2-xTe3-ABS Composites

In the current study, polymer-based composites, consisting of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Bismuth Antimony Telluride (Bi_xSb_2−xTe₃), were produced using mechanical mixing and hot pressing. These composites were investigated regarding their electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient, with respect to Bi doping and Bi_xSb_2-xTe₃ loading into the composite. Experimental results showed that their thermoelectric performance is comparable—or even superior, in some cases—to reported thermoelectric polymer composites that have been produced using other complex techniques. Consequently, mechanically mixed polymer-based thermoelectric materials could be an efficient method for low-cost and large-scale production of polymer composites for potential thermoelectric applications.

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

The degradation of polymeric components is of considerable interest to the nuclear industry and its regulatory bodies. The objective of this work was the development of a methodology to determine the useful life—based on the storage temperature—of acrylonitrile O-rings used as mechanical sealing elements to prevent leakages in nuclear equipment. To this aim, a reliability-based approach that allows prediction of the use-suitability of different storage scenarios (that involve different storage times and temperatures) considering the further required in-service performance, is presented. Thus, experimental measurements of Shore A hardness have been correlated with storage variables (temperature and storage time). The storage (and its associated hardening) was proved to have a direct effect on in-service durability, reducing this by up to 60.40%. Based on this model, the in-service performance was predicted; after the first three years of operation the increase in probability of failure (POF) was practically insignificant. Nevertheless, from this point on, and especially, from 5 years of operation, the POF increased from 10% to 20% at approximately 6 years (for new and stored). From the study, it was verified that for any of the analysis scenarios, the limit established criterion was above that of the storage time premise considered in usual nuclear industry practices. The novelty of this work is that from a non-destructive test, like a Shore A hardness measurement, the useful life and reliability of O-rings can be estimated and be, accordingly, a decision tool that allows for improvement in the management of maintenance of safety-related equipment. Finally, it was proved that the storage strategies of our nuclear power plants are successful, perfectly meeting the expectations of suitability and functionality of the components when they are installed after storage.

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

The effects of aging exposures to three non-saline aqueous environments on the compressive mechanical properties of a calcium carbonate-filled bisphenolic epoxy adhesive, cold-cured with the addition of two curing agents suitable for the cure at ambient temperature (i.e., Mannich base and triethylenetetramine), were assessed. The amount of the added filler (CaCO₃) varied from 1 to 3 g per 100 g of resin; the immersion times in each of the selected medium varied from 1 to 10 months. It was found that the mechanical properties measured in compression mode on cylindrical specimens of unfilled and CaCO₃-loaded epoxy were scarcely influenced by the kind of curing agent employed; only the compressive modulus was limitedly affected by this parameter. Referring to the behavior when aged in water, the CaCO₃-filled epoxies displayed noticeable growths in modulus, small reductions in strength, and limited variations in strain, with a certain influence of the exposure time, especially when comparing the properties at the lowest time with those at medium–long times. On the basis of the results of statistical MANOVA analysis, it can be concluded that among the compositional factors (i.e., the type of curing agent employed to cure the epoxy compounds and the micro-filler content), only the amount of CaCO₃ filler significantly affects the compressive modulus.

Comparative Study of Corrosion Properties of Different Graphene Nanoplate/Epoxy Composite Coatings for Enhanced Surface Barrier Protection

Loading of graphene to polymeric materials has proven a widespread increase in the corrosion properties of nanocomposites. In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (Gnps)/epoxy composite coatings were prepared by incorporating three commercial graphene nanoparticles (C750, M15, and X50 Gnps) into epoxy resin. The morphological impact of the Gnps on the surface barrier protection were evaluated in terms of coating’s adhesion to the substate, hydrophobicity and water uptake performance. Salt spray resistance and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) authenticated that the coating integrated with C750 Gnp remarkably improved the anti-corrosion performance of neat epoxy composite coatings. A robust passive layer and surface barrier characteristics formed by the composite coatings incorporated with C750 nanoparticle should be the main reason for better protection properties offered by C750 Gnp/epoxy nanocomposites. At the same time, homogeneous dispersion and lesser agglomerates in C750 Gnp/epoxy composite coatings mainly contributed to the coating’s excessive corrosion resistance.