Nanostrands
Due to their crystalline nature, nanostrands expectedly impart minimal additional strength to composite and polymer systems. Several studies have been completed to characterize the mechanical effects of adding nanostrands to polymer systems and fiber reinforced systems.
In polymer systems, it has been generally observed that the presence of nanostrands introducing a light increase in modulus, along with a decrease in ultimate strain (and corresponding ultimate stress). However, the linear-elastic region of the material response is affected only by the slight stiffness increase.
In fiber reinforces systems, the presence of nanostrands does not affect the mechanical response of fiber dominated mechanisms (axial strength, stiffness, etc). Testing for resin dominated effects (such as short beam shear testing) has shown that the presence of nanostrands does not affect the strength of the composite system, even when adding nanostrands to every interlaminar region. Tests in which the midplane plies only were made with nanostrand resins also showed no decrease in short beam shear strength.
As an additional consideration, nanostrands are often only required at the surface of composite systems. Studies into the adhesion, CTE, and wear properties of these surfaces are just beginning.
Coated products
Coated fibers present advantageous mechanical properties in that the nickel coating around the fiber presents an additional slip plane in composite deformation. This additional plane offers the ability to absorb more energy during deformation. Thus, the ductility, toughness, and damping capabilities of the composite are improved. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite may also be fine tuned with these metal coatings.
Due to their crystalline nature, nanostrands expectedly impart minimal additional strength to composite and polymer systems. Several studies have been completed to characterize the mechanical effects of adding nanostrands to polymer systems and fiber reinforced systems.
In polymer systems, it has been generally observed that the presence of nanostrands introducing a light increase in modulus, along with a decrease in ultimate strain (and corresponding ultimate stress). However, the linear-elastic region of the material response is affected only by the slight stiffness increase.
In fiber reinforces systems, the presence of nanostrands does not affect the mechanical response of fiber dominated mechanisms (axial strength, stiffness, etc). Testing for resin dominated effects (such as short beam shear testing) has shown that the presence of nanostrands does not affect the strength of the composite system, even when adding nanostrands to every interlaminar region. Tests in which the midplane plies only were made with nanostrand resins also showed no decrease in short beam shear strength.
As an additional consideration, nanostrands are often only required at the surface of composite systems. Studies into the adhesion, CTE, and wear properties of these surfaces are just beginning.
Coated products
Coated fibers present advantageous mechanical properties in that the nickel coating around the fiber presents an additional slip plane in composite deformation. This additional plane offers the ability to absorb more energy during deformation. Thus, the ductility, toughness, and damping capabilities of the composite are improved. The thermal expansion coefficient of the composite may also be fine tuned with these metal coatings.