6 research outputs found
Advanced nanocomposite materials for subsea oil & gas production
The search for novel materials has continued to dominate industries like automotive, power, aerospace and energy where maintaining a competitive edge is necessary for increasing industry market share. For subsea applications, where high pressures and temperatures are the norm, using reinforced composites have potential as the next generation solution. This presentation investigates the influence of micro/nano fillers on mechanical properties of lightweight polymeric materials employed in thermoplastic risers and hoses for subsea applications and the challenge of incorporating such novel materials for potential up-scaling. To obtain commercially viable microstructures, a two-step processing routes was selected and its influence on final polymer nanocomposite morphology has been studied
Fullerenes for enhanced performance of novel nano-exploited aircraft materials
Fullerene is an allotropic form of carbon having a large spheroidal molecule consisting of a hollow case of sixty or more carbon atoms. In the past decade, this family of super carbonaceous materials is subject of significant research interest for their utilization in an increasing number of applications including energy, transportation, defense, automotive, aerospace, sporting goods, and infrastructure sectors. Carbon nanotubes and graphene are some of the common types of fullerenes. This presentation will look into how a simple chemical manipulation at nano-scale of a superlative chicken wire structure of graphene can be exploited to address major engineering challenges we are now encountering in the development of non-metallic reinforced plastic aircrafts like Airbus A350 and Boeing Dreamliner 787. Substituting metallic accessories, like Expanded Copper Foil (ECF) used for lighting strike protection, with graphene in the wings of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites aircrafts is currently being extensively researched at industrial scale. This substitution offers good chemical compatibility with the base matrix material (epoxy) and can solve various existing issues. It would also offer other benefits, like in-situ structural health monitoring of aircraft components and improved mechanical properties and structural integrity as well. However, there are several challenges prior to this forthcoming substitution, as being dealt by leading aircraft manufacturers of Europe and USA, which will be discussed in detail
Damage sensing ability of polymer nanocomposites filled with long, shortened and damaged carbon nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were aggressively tip-ultrasonicated to produce shortened and damaged carbon nanotubes. High-resolution scanning electron microscopic analysis was performed to measure the dimensions of CNTs. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to evaluate the damage in the sonicated CNTs. Shortened CNTs, in their pristine form (undamaged), were used for comparison with damaged CNTs. Nanocomposite bars, containing CNTs, were indented using Vickers hardness testing machine to produce sub-surface damage. Change in electrical conductivities were analysed after indentation to understand structural damage in nanocomposites having different types (i.e. damaged, shortened and pristine) of CNTs. Nanocomposites having longer and undamaged CNTs possess higher damage sensing ability as compared to nanocomposites having shortened and damaged CNTs
Dynamic mechanical analyses for molecular level engineering of advanced subsea polymers
Challenging subsea field developments in ultra-deepwaters has significantly pushed the need for reliable engineering materials and products for high pressure and high temperature applications. In subsea well bore where such extreme conditions are prevalent, multifunctional polymers have been successfully deployed in various applications. To achieve thermomechanical performance at such conditions, these polymers are usually altered at molecular levels or nano reinforced to hinder the movement of the polymer backbone chain. This poster presents a study on DMA characterization of engineering polymer with focus on its mechanical behaviour and thermal stability at elevated temperatures
Engineering properties of graphene - ceramic nanocomposites by incorporating defects in graphene
A novel strategy for producing ceramic β graphene nanocomposites with customizable mechanical and electrical properties without changing the amount of graphene has been presented. Structural and crystalline defects were produced in graphene using high-power tip ultrasonication for 20, 40 and 60 minutes. Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses were conducted to characterize degradation in graphene. Alumina β graphene nanocomposites were then prepared using Spark Plasma Sintering. Fracture toughness and electrical conductivities were measured for alumina nanocomposites containing 0.5 vol% and 3 vol% graphene respectively. Electrical conductivity and fracture toughness values of alumina β graphene nanocomposites decreased with the increase in structural defects in graphene. The quality of graphene has no influence on the grain size of the alumina nanocomposites
Fullerene based polymeric nanocomposites for advanced oil/gas subsea applications
Fullerenes, novel forms of super carbonaceous materials are subject of significant research for their utilization in an increasing number of applications like petrochemical, energy, transportation, automotive, aerospace, defence, sporting goods and infrastructure development. In particular, carbon nanotubes and graphene are some of the common types of fullerenes that offer unique combinations of superlative chemical and physical properties. This keynote speech will look into how a simple chemical manipulation at nano-scale of a superlative chicken wire structure of graphene can be exploited to address major engineering challenges we are now encountering in the development of subsea engineering products used for oil/ gas applications. Substituting monolithic materials with nanofiller reinforced composites would not just bring major performance uplift but also significant reduction in manufacturing and related economics. However, there are several key challenges prior to this forthcoming substitution which will be detailed in this work