| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S75673/01 |
| Title: |
Manufacturing High Performance Fibre Reinforced Fluoropolymers for Applications in Extreme Environments |
| Principal Investigator: |
Bismarck, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Chemical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
01 October 2004 |
Ends: |
30 September 2007 |
Value (£): |
124,016
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Processing |
| Materials testing & eng. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Electronics |
| Healthcare |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The aim of the proposed research is to design and fabricate new ultra-inert fibre reinforced fluoropolymers that can deliver exceptional performance in the extreme environments. Specifically, the emphasis of the proposal is the development of a modular, rapid composite manufacturing procedure that provides direct control over the chemistry of composite interfaces. The process aims at reproducible and continuous manufacturing of unidirectional fluoropolymer composites. An atmospheric plasma treatment will be applied to fluorinate the surfaces of carbon fibres, so that their surface properties become compatible to given polymer matrices. Following the preparation and characterisation of fluorinated fibres, the fibre/matrix interfacial properties will be evaluated. In this way we will examine the impact of interfacial chemistry and microstructure on the adhesion between carbon fibres and polymer. The modular procedure for the manufacture of thermoplastic composite materials is expected to result in enhanced reliability of composites and improved performance. It will also facilitate targeted, tailor-made engineering of materials properties. In addition, affordability of thermoplastic composites is more likely to be achieved, when the production process is fully understood and controlled; increased control of the process parameters and interfacial chemistry also creates more possibilities for directed manipulation of the materials properties.
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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.imperial.ac.uk |