DEVELOPMENT AND STUDY OF LAMINATED COMPOSITE MATERIAL INTEGRATING CARBON NANOTUBES FOR LAUNCHER CRYOGENIC TANK APPLICATION
Topic(s) : Material science
Co-authors :
Adrien BOISSENIN (FRANCE), Deborrah CHAMPONNOIS , Kevin MATHIS (FRANCE), David MIOT , Emeline CHARON , Antoine LAVAUD , Aldo COCCHI , Martine MAYNE-L'HERMITE , Mathieu PINAULTAbstract :
Recent trends in the spatial fields require building lightweight launchers, leading to the replacement of classical metal parts and components by composite materials. The heaviest parts of a launcher are its cryogenic storage vessels, and the materials used need to comply with mechanical, thermal, chemical, and fire-resistant specifications due to the highly oxidative nature of liquid oxygen, stable at -183°C. While carbon fiber/polymer (CF/P) composites are promising, they develop micro-cracks when tested under cryogenic temperatures, and leak [1]. With their excellent mechanical properties and high form factor, adding Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) to composites to bridge microcracks needs to be explored further.
In this context, we aim to define the best way to process CNTs within a thermostable labo-grade cyanate ester matrix in layered composite materials for a launcher cryogenic tank. (i) growth of CNTs aligned directly on the dry ply [2], (ii) transfer of aligned CNT mats or even of entangled CNTs on the carbon fiber fabric pre-impregnated with resin, or (iii) homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the resin are investigated.
The carbon nanotubes used in this study are obtained from an aerosol-assisted CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) synthesis technique, yielding Vertically Aligned Carbon NanoTube (VACNT) carpets [3-4]. The characteristics of VACNT carpets are tailored by modifying synthesis parameters, influencing their length, diameter and density.
For the transfer technique, the definition of a range of desired thickness of CNT carpets (from 0 to 200µm), its homogeneity over a 5 by 30cm sample, and the quality of the carpet transfer (depending on the applied pressure and temperature) have been optimized. The transfer protocol presents a total transfer of CNT carpets from the substrate to the composite
For the direct growth approach, another aerosol-assisted CVD setup is used, albeit with an added layer of silica-based material. The homogeneity of the CNT carpet thickness over a 5 by 30cm carbon fiber sample has been optimized for a range of lengths (0 to 250µm).
Then, those CNT-covered fibers can be layered, infused with the liquid resin, and cured to obtain the laminated composite material.
The samples yielded after infusion and curing will be tested by two methods: classical strain tests, and crack propagation tests.
The VACNT growth protocols have been adapted to a range of desired CNT length so that we can assess the influence of CNT length on the mechanical resistance of composite samples. CNT samples were also observed by SEM after each step of the process to better characterize the mechanisms of the synthesis and degradation under strain.
In this context, we aim to define the best way to process CNTs within a thermostable labo-grade cyanate ester matrix in layered composite materials for a launcher cryogenic tank. (i) growth of CNTs aligned directly on the dry ply [2], (ii) transfer of aligned CNT mats or even of entangled CNTs on the carbon fiber fabric pre-impregnated with resin, or (iii) homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the resin are investigated.
The carbon nanotubes used in this study are obtained from an aerosol-assisted CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) synthesis technique, yielding Vertically Aligned Carbon NanoTube (VACNT) carpets [3-4]. The characteristics of VACNT carpets are tailored by modifying synthesis parameters, influencing their length, diameter and density.
For the transfer technique, the definition of a range of desired thickness of CNT carpets (from 0 to 200µm), its homogeneity over a 5 by 30cm sample, and the quality of the carpet transfer (depending on the applied pressure and temperature) have been optimized. The transfer protocol presents a total transfer of CNT carpets from the substrate to the composite
For the direct growth approach, another aerosol-assisted CVD setup is used, albeit with an added layer of silica-based material. The homogeneity of the CNT carpet thickness over a 5 by 30cm carbon fiber sample has been optimized for a range of lengths (0 to 250µm).
Then, those CNT-covered fibers can be layered, infused with the liquid resin, and cured to obtain the laminated composite material.
The samples yielded after infusion and curing will be tested by two methods: classical strain tests, and crack propagation tests.
The VACNT growth protocols have been adapted to a range of desired CNT length so that we can assess the influence of CNT length on the mechanical resistance of composite samples. CNT samples were also observed by SEM after each step of the process to better characterize the mechanisms of the synthesis and degradation under strain.