Low Viscosity Nano-Resins for VARI- and RTM-produced Composite Structures

Kurzfassung

Lightweight structures play a central role in mobility. Thus, research and development of materials with high specific mechanical performance have always been essential. Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) represent an important and still increasing part for applications in aircrafts. However, CFRPs are prone to matrix dominated properties such as impact strength or fiber parallel compressive strength. Nanotechnology opens new possibilities to improve these properties. A key challenge is the fabrication of nanomodified CFRPs. Vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) or resin transfer molding (RTM) processes are often-used fabrication methods for CFRPs. These processes are realized with low-viscosity resins, but nano-scaled additives strongly increase viscosity due to their high specific surface area. An effective way to compensate the increased viscosity is to apply surface-modifications to the additives. The effect of the surface modifier depends on properties like the length of the molecular chain or availability of functional groups.