EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S56115/01
Title: Novel intercalated polyurethane-organically modified layered silicate nanocomposites
Principal Investigator: Song, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Hourston, Professor DJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
DSTL Hyperlast Ltd
Department: Materials
Organisation: Loughborough University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 December 2003 Ends: 30 November 2006 Value (£): 181,051
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Healthcare Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The field of organic-inorganic nanocomposite materials has been widely recognised as one of the most promising and rapidly emerging research areas in materials science. Polyurethane elastomers (PUE) are an important class of polymer materials, which has been widely used in the automotive and construction industries. The fatigue, tensile and thermal properties are key parameters for PUE applications. Our recent initial research on PUEorganoclay nanocomposites has shown that high performance PUE nanocomposites can be generated with excellent mechanical properties at a low cost. The proposed study aims to generate novel intercalated PUE-organoclay nanocomposites with excellent tensile and fatigue properties and to develop a molecular theory to understand the effects of the addition of organoclay on the deformation, fracture behaviour and thermal ageing of PUE organoclay nanocomposites. We will focus on 1) investigating the effect of the addition of organoclay on the morphology, tensile and fatigue properties, curing dynamics and thermal ageing of PUE-organoclay nanocomposites, 2) developing extra soft PUE-organoclay nanocomposites for potential applications in soft tissue engineering in the medical industry, and 3) exploring how and why organoclay influences the mechanical properties of PUE nanocomposites. The key aspects of the proposed study are the synthesis of novel PUE nanoc omposites and the creation of a molecular theory for understanding the effect of the addition of organoclay on deformation, fracture and thermal ageing of PUE-organocay nanocomposites.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk