| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S62000/01 |
| Title: |
Feasibility study:Incorp'tion of nano-scale carbon fibres & single walled carbon nano-tubes to enhance properties of hot compacted polypropylene sheet |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ward, Professor IM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 December 2003 |
Ends: |
30 November 2004 |
Value (£): |
61,777
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Processing |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Transport Systems and Vehicles |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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In the research on hot compaction covered by a previous EPSRC grant, the emphasis was primarily on hot compacted sheets from woven fabrics of polypropylene tape. The resulting products have shown an attractive portfolio of properties including lightweight, recyclability, thermoformability, outstanding impact performance and reasonable mechanical properties. We now seek to undertake research which will produce a new generation of hot compacted polymer/polymer composites, with advantages in terms of high stiffness and strength and improved high temperature performance, without sacrificing the key aspects of lightweight, recyclability and thermoformability. The ambitious target for this new generation of materials is a stiffness of -1 OGPa, better than currently achievable with GMT (glass mat reinforced PP), and a heat deflection temperature of -120C (currently hot compacted PP has a stiffness of 5GPa and a HDT of -1000). Nano-filled polypropylene is the system identified with the potential to achieve these targets. The proposed research combines areas of expertise where the applicants have unique experience: the preparation, structure and properties of novel composites produced by hot compaction, and the preparation of high stiffness, high strength fibres and tapes by melt spinning and drawing to the ultimate achievable draw ratios. In view of the many scientific challenoes in this new area. it is felt that a one year feasibility study is most approoriate
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |