Aromatic thermosetting copolyester nanocomposite foams: High thermal and mechanical performance lightweight structural materials

Bakir M., Meyer J. L., Economy J., Jasiuk I.

Polymer, vol.123, pp.311-320, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 123
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.07.030
  • Journal Name: Polymer
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.311-320
  • Keywords: Aromatic thermosetting copolyester, Carbon nanofillers, Compressive mechanical strength, In-situ polymerization, Nanocomposite foam, Thermal degradation stability
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: No

Abstract

In this study, we present carbon nanoparticle incorporated high-performance aromatic thermosetting copolyester (ATSP) nanocomposite foams. The ATSP nanocomposite foams were fabricated through a facile solid-state mixing method wherein carboxylic acid and acetoxy-functional group oligomers were initially combined with chemically pristine carbon nanofillers separately, while in powder form. The mixtures were then subjected to a thermal condensation polymerization reaction in which the constituent oligomers formed the ester backbone of the ATSP matrix and advanced the molecular weight while acetic acid was emitted as the by-product, and generated a porous nanocomposite morphology. As compared to a neat ATSP foam, the nanocomposite foams exhibited a reduced coefficient of thermal expansion by 25% to 75 × 10−6 °C−1. Thermal stability temperature at 5% mass loss was increased by 30 °C exceeding 500 °C. Compressive mechanical strength was enhanced two-fold, reaching 16 MPa along with a nearly doubled fracture strain, which ultimately yielded improved material toughness.