Prospective Improvements for Safer Fuel Tanks: Experimental Tests

In past studies, some of the authors presented how the integration of different systems, for the prevention of fires or explosions due to impact or bullet damage, may significantly improve the safety of fuel tanks. Leakage, after bullet penetration or debris impact, can be significantly reduced by introducing polymeric materials with self-healing capabilities for the container’s walls, while an internal aluminium filler can reduce the sloshing and the danger of fuel ignition. In the present paper, an experimental evaluation of the proposed solution is presented. A ballistic test campaign on a fluid container was performed to investigate the interaction between an ethylene–methacrylic acid (EMAA)-based ionomeric wall (i.e. Dupont®Surlyn 8940) and an internal aluminium filler (i.e. Explosafe®). Results show that the presence of the fluid increases the self-healing capabilities, which are however slightly affected by the internal aluminium filler; the contribution in terms of sloshing reduction remains relevant. Moreover, additional configurations based on multilayer panels are presented. The authors studied the healing process of EMAA in a sandwich configuration made of one skin of ionomer and one skin of carbon fibre, sepa- rated by an aramidic honeycomb. The main objective of the honeycomb is to prevent the remarkable reduction of the healing capabilities observed when ionomer is directly coupled to aramidic fabric or composite panels. The new multilayer configurations have been tested at different impact conditions

Integrated Solutions for Safe Fuel Tanks

The integration of different tools for the prevention of fires or explosions due to impact or bullet damage may significantly improve the safety of fuel tanks. Self-healing polymers have demonstrated their ability to autonomous mending bullet punctures. The results of ballistic tests to check the response of multilayer structures based on self-healing ionomer and aramid fabric or carbon foam are presented in view of their potential employment as safety materials for dangerous liquids containment. Considerations related to the effect of coupling of different materials over self-healing response are discussed. A conceptual solution that integrates self-healing polymers or composites with cellular filler made of wrinkled aluminium foil for fuel tanks is proposed and discussed

Composites with Hemp Reinforcement and Bio-Based Epoxy Matrix

The use of natural fiber reinforcements for the production of ecofriendly composites has arisen considerable interest both in thermoplastic and thermoset based materials. In the latter case, the matrix is often an epoxy based polymer, which allows remarkable performance, but that cannot be considered eco-friendly since it is non-biodegradable and is produced from non-renewable sources. This strongly impairs the environmental friendly character of the resulting composite material. The aim of this work was to study the characteristics and performance of a thermoset bioepoxy resin, which is partly based on natural components, to be used in hemp reinforced laminates. The permeability of the hemp fabric as well as the rheological and thermal behavior of the resin were studied in view of their fabrication by resin infusion techniques. The results showed that laminated composites could be easily obtained with a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Static, dynamic and vibration-damping tests were performed to evaluate limits and potentials of such biocomposites

Polymer Blends with Biodegradable Components and Reinforcements

Polymeric blends based on ethylene vinyl acetate rubbers filled with high mol. wt. carboxymethyl cellulose were investigated in view of possible employment as biodegradable materials. The effect of vinyl acetate content and of addition of transesterification agent to increase interaction between EVA and cellulosic components was considered. Blends reinforced with cellulose microfibers in different amounts were also characterized in their mechanical, rheological and thermal behavior