Nanocomposites for new Functionalities in Multiscale Composites

Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Via Maiorise, 81043 Capua (CE), Italy

Abstract

This work describes the developing of multiscale composites with inherent health monitoring functionality. Nanotubes tend to form electrically conductive networks when embedded even at low concentrations in traditional insulating polymers. By dispersing nanotubes it is possible to obtain a class of polymers that show a piezoresistive behavior. By using that kind of piezoresistive polymer as matrix in fiber reinforced composites, it is possible to develop multiscale composites with an inherent health monitoring functionality. Two different approaches have been developed to obtain a multiscale composite able to monitor the tensional states of composites. In a first manner has been used a thermosetting resin filled with a mixture of nanotubes and graphene and a specific method has been developed to impregnate carbon fiber fabrics with that nanocharged resin. A second idea was to insert a thermoplastic nanocharged thin film into a glass fiber reinforced composites.